p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Cassie reached into her purse and took out a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Kevin and he slowly opened it up. It was the drawing of a modern house that Jack had made more than 30 years ago, and that the Big Three had found in the time capsule. Kevin passed the drawing over to Suzi./spanstrong id="docs-internal-guid-798a9529-7fff-b036-c197-4c0f3c71e29c" style="font-weight: normal;"/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I want to build this," Kevin said. "In the Poconos." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, I see," Suzi replied. "What exactly am I Iooking at?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's a drawing my dad made many years ago. He had always imagined building a large modern house on some land my parents' owned. Well, actually, land my mom owns. My dad's been gone for some time."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'm sorry," Suzi answered. "Is this just nostalgia. Or do you really want to build this house? Building in remote areas is complicated and county inspectors are not fond of modern construction. Your dad was actually very forward-thinking. When did he draw this?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It was the 80s. And, yes, I do want to build the house. This isn't some vanity project from a bored movie star. I want to do this for my mom, my sister, and for my future family." Kevin looked at Cassie and she winked back. He put his hand on Cassie's thigh. "We're expecting a child, and I'd like this house to serve as a retreat for all of us to get together on the family land."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Can you tell me more about the property?" Suzi asked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Well, it's a pretty remote area. It's about a half hour from the nearest gas station. My mom has 15 acres. There's a small cabin where we used to vacation as kids: two bedrooms, one bath, wood paneling. I'd like to build the house on a hillside just above the cabin. It's pretty flat, and there's an amazing view of the valley below."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You said it's on your mother's land. Is she ok with you building a large house that would dwarf her cabin? I wouldn't want to waste a lot of time working on plans for you if she vetos the project."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""That's why I'm here, talking with you now. I'd like to know if this is feasible, and if you'll be on board with plans and implementation. I know you're not a contractor, but I don't realistically think that I'll be able to see this through without a professional on the ground. I'm also hoping that you'll use this drawing as a starting point. When my dad drew the house, he was likely thinking about me and my two siblings. But, between us now we have eight grandchildren (or soon to be) and I need space for everyone. Can you design a comfortable, modern home that is equally homey for Cassie and my family, and also when my family comes to visit? Does 10,000 square feet seem about right?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Kevin could see that Suzi was intrigued. He suspected that Suzi was internally determining how much to charge for this project. On the one hand, this house could define Suzi's career. It would likely be profiled in design magazines, and later, glimpses of the house would be shown whenever People Magazine wanted to interview Kevin "at home." On the other hand, this project would likely be all-consuming, with a demanding client and difficult logistics. Kevin understood that Suzi would have to decide whether she wants the headache of managing a construction project hours away, and how to balance other work for local clients. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I just need to know if you're interested, Suzi, you don't need to sign a contract today. In any event, the financials will need to be handled by my business manager, but I assure you, this is very important to me. I don't own a house anywhere else. I woudn't say 'money is no object,' but if it's at all possible, even if it's not practical, I will make this happen."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Suzi looked at Kevin for at least ten seconds without thinking. Then she reached for her glass and took a long sip of water. She was stalling. But, in a moment she smiled. "Yes, of course, how could I say 'no'? I can't turn it down. I can't. I'm doing the right thing, right?" she asked Cassie./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Kevin's life is defined by leaps of faith, serendipity, and grand romance. This project is going to be an adventure for all of us. Yes! This is the right thing. And, I can tell by the way Kevin's squeezing my thigh that he's thrilled that you'll join us." Cassie replied. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"After discussing some details, including Kevin's business manager's contact information and the property's address, the two were soon out on the street. They now had an architect and a kernel of a plan. But, it couldn't come together until his family was on board. Kevin braced himself to talk with Rebecca and Kate this weekend./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I want to build this," Kevin said. "In the Poconos." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, I see," Suzi replied. "What exactly am I Iooking at?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's a drawing my dad made many years ago. He had always imagined building a large modern house on some land my parents' owned. Well, actually, land my mom owns. My dad's been gone for some time."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'm sorry," Suzi answered. "Is this just nostalgia. Or do you really want to build this house? Building in remote areas is complicated and county inspectors are not fond of modern construction. Your dad was actually very forward-thinking. When did he draw this?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It was the 80s. And, yes, I do want to build the house. This isn't some vanity project from a bored movie star. I want to do this for my mom, my sister, and for my future family." Kevin looked at Cassie and she winked back. He put his hand on Cassie's thigh. "We're expecting a child, and I'd like this house to serve as a retreat for all of us to get together on the family land."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Can you tell me more about the property?" Suzi asked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Well, it's a pretty remote area. It's about a half hour from the nearest gas station. My mom has 15 acres. There's a small cabin where we used to vacation as kids: two bedrooms, one bath, wood paneling. I'd like to build the house on a hillside just above the cabin. It's pretty flat, and there's an amazing view of the valley below."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You said it's on your mother's land. Is she ok with you building a large house that would dwarf her cabin? I wouldn't want to waste a lot of time working on plans for you if she vetos the project."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""That's why I'm here, talking with you now. I'd like to know if this is feasible, and if you'll be on board with plans and implementation. I know you're not a contractor, but I don't realistically think that I'll be able to see this through without a professional on the ground. I'm also hoping that you'll use this drawing as a starting point. When my dad drew the house, he was likely thinking about me and my two siblings. But, between us now we have eight grandchildren (or soon to be) and I need space for everyone. Can you design a comfortable, modern home that is equally homey for Cassie and my family, and also when my family comes to visit? Does 10,000 square feet seem about right?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Kevin could see that Suzi was intrigued. He suspected that Suzi was internally determining how much to charge for this project. On the one hand, this house could define Suzi's career. It would likely be profiled in design magazines, and later, glimpses of the house would be shown whenever People Magazine wanted to interview Kevin "at home." On the other hand, this project would likely be all-consuming, with a demanding client and difficult logistics. Kevin understood that Suzi would have to decide whether she wants the headache of managing a construction project hours away, and how to balance other work for local clients. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I just need to know if you're interested, Suzi, you don't need to sign a contract today. In any event, the financials will need to be handled by my business manager, but I assure you, this is very important to me. I don't own a house anywhere else. I woudn't say 'money is no object,' but if it's at all possible, even if it's not practical, I will make this happen."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Suzi looked at Kevin for at least ten seconds without thinking. Then she reached for her glass and took a long sip of water. She was stalling. But, in a moment she smiled. "Yes, of course, how could I say 'no'? I can't turn it down. I can't. I'm doing the right thing, right?" she asked Cassie./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Kevin's life is defined by leaps of faith, serendipity, and grand romance. This project is going to be an adventure for all of us. Yes! This is the right thing. And, I can tell by the way Kevin's squeezing my thigh that he's thrilled that you'll join us." Cassie replied. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"After discussing some details, including Kevin's business manager's contact information and the property's address, the two were soon out on the street. They now had an architect and a kernel of a plan. But, it couldn't come together until his family was on board. Kevin braced himself to talk with Rebecca and Kate this weekend./span/p