Olympic Refuge

Dear Friends:

Perhaps some of you may recall a famous painting of Jesus, standing at the door (our heart’s door) and knocking. The door in that painting was a Roman-arched door with no handle on the outside. That painting was the inspiration for the south entry door of The Refuge, which arrived on site today (20 February). I had drawn up a rough sketch of the kind of door we wanted, and Mark, our craftsman-contractor had said, “I can build that door”. Since we wanted a uinque design - a raised cross - the door had to be hand-crafted. No such door was comercially available. And so, for the last several months, working on it little by little, Mark finally completed the door just in time to be placed in position as the south stairwell is installed.

Robbie & Jim “standing at the door” prior to it being installed at the south entrance.

This door is no ordinary door. First it is wider than most doors (42 inches) and far heavier (over 300 lbs). It is made from one of the large Douglas Fir stumps that we saved when we excavated. The wood is more than 225 years old. It was that old when it was felled, which we think was about 80 years ago. The raised-embedded cross is made from beautifully figured big leaf maple, also from a tree that we felled a couple of years ago, and likely over 150 years old. The Black Walnut wood on the outside (and cross on the inside) was obtained locally but we don’t know how old that is. It took our boom truck to lower the door into place.

The door, being one of the three entry doors into the lodge, with its embedded crosses on both sides, will be a reminder to all who pass through it, that this lodge is dedicated to the service of Our Lord Jesus Christ - and a further reminder that our spiritual life was made possible by just such a cross.

This shot shows the door being swung into place by a crane. Alan is steadying the door.

Since the door will be surrounded by stone facings, this southeast corner of the main lodge will have a decidedly medieval European look. The window will be barred (in medieval fashion) but with stained glass. Wrought iron lanterns will hang on either side of the door.

Mark (who handcrafted the door) and Alan about to set the door into place.

So, the arrival and installation of “the door” was kind of a big deal around here. We thought we’d share it with you.

A warm & sunny day in February - Dave & Diane Gibson & Robbie on Refuge balcony

More next time, from The Refuge. Robbie & Jim Edgren

Robbie with Dave & Diane Gibson on the balcony of the master suite

I am writing this, Sunday evening, 11 Feb 07 after experiencing a wonderful afternoon - given as a gift to The Refuge. Diana Walker, the organist-pianist at Main Post Chapel, Fort Lewis, approached me several months ago with a proposal that she do a benefit concert for The Refuge. It was her way to use her God-given talents to bless others and give a gift to The Refuge at the same time. Of course Robbie and I were delighted, and after obtaining the necessary permission and support, the date was fixed.

Normally, we write to you in these “blog” pieces about progress on the physical plant, but this time it’s about the way in which God has used a talented professional to bring a blessing to The Refuge while presenting a program of music which was both inspiring and entertaining. Diana performed a “Beethoven Sampler” of his piano sonata music. Robbie and I have never heard better playing on the concert stage. Diana’s handling and interpretation of several of Beethoven’s most challenging works was superb.

We also wanted to offer refreshments after the concert that would leave a “good taste” in everyone’s mouth. Reminiscent of Vienna in the days of Mozart & Beethoven, there was a long table spread with 10-12 varieties of cakes, tarts & assorted fruits, snacks, finger foods and cookies. We were blessed with help from Friends of The Refuge, to include help with clean-up. We wanted folks to go away feeling “filled & fulfilled” so that no one need go away hungry.

The net result - about 75 people came to the concert and gave a handsome offering to The Refuge, for which we are thankful. Our special thanks go to those who helped in so many ways. Among them, Daniel & David Edgren, who handed out programs, Rachel & Sarah Edgren, who presented the flowers to Diana at the end of the concert, those who brought cookies, cakes & assorted goodies, the Bridwells, Coles, Websters & Nancy Ham who stayed to help clean up. And special thanks to SFC White, who assisted in many ways. Our thanks also to anyone we might have failed to mention.

Well, that’s the news from The Refuge for this week. We’ll include an update on construction next time.

In the service of The King, Robbie & Jim

PS. Once the main lodge is finished, we’ll be presenting concerts like this one in the Lodge Great Room.