Chapter 4
Beth parked her truck outside the old hardware building and made herself sit for a moment before going inside.
She’d brought a notebook of ideas she’d been collecting since Natalie first mentioned the center to her.
There were names of local artists, ideas for different programs the center could run, and dates throughout the year when other events were held in Sapphire Bay.
It wasn’t much, but it was something she could hold onto.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the notebook and stepped out of her truck.
Natalie was waiting just inside the door. Her dark hair was pulled back, and she looked like she was holding a set of drawings. “There you are. You’re right on time.”
“I tried to be here a little earlier, but my daughter called as I was about to leave.”
“That happens to me, too, but with my mom,” Natalie said with a smile. “Let me show you what we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
She led Beth down the length of the room, talking as she went.
An exhibition gallery would run along the left-hand wall, with good lighting once the skylights were added.
In front of the gallery, they’d have clusters of tables and chairs for smaller programs or one large gathering.
This would become the main events space, and would be the showstopper of the center.
Beth’s office would be to the right of the entryway. Close enough to keep an eye on who was coming into the center but separate from the activities.
Through the doorway at the back, two more rooms would be created for classes that required running water and lots of counter space. Beyond that, there was a kitchen that would eventually enable them to open a small café.
“Owen’s architect friend finished the full set of plans a few weeks ago,” Natalie said.
“You saw the concept plans at the funding meeting, but I wanted you to have your own copy of the latest ones.” She handed Beth a large folder.
“If you want to make notes on them, feel free. I can email you an electronic copy, too.”
Beth opened the plans and saw the careful lines of the rooms Natalie had just described. “Thank you. This will help when I’m allocating rooms for different programs.”
“We can always make small adjustments as we go along,” Natalie told Beth. “I keep telling myself we have enough time to finish the renovation. Most days I believe it.”
“What can I do to help?” Beth asked.
“We need to show the council that the arts center will have a positive impact on the community. There are still a couple of councilors who’d sooner use our funding to fix the roads or build another sports field.
If we have people signed up for our classes before we open, it will make a big difference. ”
Beth nodded. “I’ll do my best. You also mentioned keeping an eye on the budget and the remodel schedule. Do you have any spreadsheets you can send me?”
Natalie pulled out her cell phone. “I’ll email the budget, and the income and expenditure spreadsheet to you now.
We need to stick to the budget. Otherwise, the council could stop any additional grant money from being released.
” She touched another button and smiled. “There. You should have it soon.”
They walked back into the main room and Natalie nodded toward a man measuring a window frame.
“That’s Dave,” Natalie said. “He’s in charge of the remodel. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Beth followed Natalie past a sagging ceiling and water stains running down a wall.
Dave straightened as they reached him and set a measuring tape down on a sawhorse. He was just as tall as Beth remembered, only this time he was dressed for the cold in a flannel jacket.
“Dave, this is Beth Kowalski,” Natalie said. “She’s the arts center’s new manager. Beth, Dave McGuire. Dave’s making sure the building doesn’t fall down around us.”
“Trying to, anyway.” Dave nodded at Beth. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Beth held out her hand. “It’s good to meet you, too. I’ve heard great things about your work.”
Dave wiped the dust off his hand and shook Beth’s. “I’m only as good as the team who work with me.” He looked more closely at her. “Are you related to Ryan Kowalski? He’s part of my crew working at Finley Point.”
Beth nodded. “He’s my brother.”
Dave’s smile relaxed. “We’ve been working together for years. How’s his vacation?”
“He loves Australia,” Beth told him. “He’s been to every tourist hotspot I’ve heard about and a lot more that are new to me.”
Natalie’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and her eyebrows rose. “I’m sorry, Beth. I have to take this. It’s the grant office. Dave, could you show Beth what you’re working on?”
“Of course I can.”
While Natalie moved away to answer the call, Dave walked Beth toward the north wall. “You would have noticed the water damage when you came in. It’s been here a while. The ceiling looks worse than it is, though. Once we get the leak sorted, most of what’s up there can be saved.”
“That must be reassuring,” Beth told him.
Dave nodded. “It helps the renovation budget. The bones of the building seem to be sound, and that’s what matters. Everything else is cosmetic. Natalie has probably mentioned the spring deadline. I know it sounds tight, but we’ll get there. I’ve worked tighter timelines than this one.”
Beth looked up at the ceiling. “I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am, when it comes to buildings.” Dave said it without any ego, just plain confidence. “People are a different matter.”
That got a small laugh out of Beth, and he looked pleased to have caused it.
He glanced at her notebook. “You’ve come prepared.”
“It’s just some notes about different programs the center could run.” Beth looked around the room. Dave had told her most of the renovations were cosmetic, but there was a long way to go before the space could be used. “How many hours a week will you be here?”
Dave picked up a hammer and slid it into his tool belt. “At the moment, I’m spending half my day at the Finley Point resort and the other half here. For the next few weeks, you’ll see more of Hank and my other builders than you will of me. Hank’s my foreman, and he runs a site as well as I do.”
Beth nodded. “It’ll be nice to meet him.”
“You’ll like Hank. He calls a spade a spade and does a good job.”
Natalie walked back into the room. Her smile told Beth it was good news. “Sorry about that. The grant office has confirmed the second funding disbursement. I hope Dave’s been telling you good things about this place, Beth.”
“He has. I can’t wait to see what the center looks like when it’s finished.”
“I’m looking forward to that day, too.” Natalie checked her watch. “We should get you settled. Owen’s let us set up a temporary office in his studio until this building is finished. We can go through your job description and I’ll answer any questions you might have.”
That sounded like a good idea to Beth.
Natalie said a quick goodbye to Dave.
He gave them a friendly nod before turning back to the window he was working on.
As they stepped out into the cold, Natalie pulled the door shut behind her. “I know I’ve said it before, but I mean it, Beth. I couldn’t have found anyone better for this job.”
“I’m grateful you’ve given me the opportunity.”
Natalie laughed. “I’ll remind you of that when we’re a few days away from opening the center. Do you want me to drive you to Owen’s studio? It might be quicker than trying to find two parking spaces.”
Beth looked down the street at the vehicles parked outside the stores. For a mid-week morning, it was busier than usual.
“I’ll be working from Owen’s studio with you,” Natalie added. “I’ll give you a ride back here when we’ve finished for the day.”
“In that case,” Beth said. “I’d love a ride.” As she followed Natalie to her truck, Beth sighed.
After visiting the old hardware building and speaking to Natalie and Dave, her new job felt a little less daunting than it had last night. And hopefully, each day would only get better.