Beginnings

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Book Overview

Beth Quinn is struggling to find a place to belong in the Old Order Mennonite Community of Sommerfeld, Kansas. When she starts a business designing stained glass windows, two men-one a Mennonite, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597894052
• ISBN13: 9781597894050
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Beginnings

This was a good book.I always enjoy these types of books.For Some reason I can realy feel what they feel.Nadia Rehmani

Sawyer is a top-notch storyteller

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers Beth lives among the Old Order Mennonites, and though she shares their Christian faith, she doesn't share their lifestyle. While, yes, she feels that God brought her to Sommerfeld, Kansas, and gave her a gift as a stained-glass artist, how can she rectify the two in a place where women are homemakers and art is frivolous? And what of men? In her employee, Andrew, Beth finds a compassionate and hardworking friend, but to embrace him would be to embrace his Old Order lifestyle, something Beth isn't inclined to do. When Sean shows up at her studio door proposing a business relationship, Beth begins to see the realization of her dreams. But can she trust either of these men with her future? Oh, how I love Kim Vogel Sawyer's books. Frankly, I'm not sure whether it is her setting (my old stomping grounds) or her ability to weave great stories, but I think it is a combination of the two. Kim is a master storyteller who has cornered the market on a lesser known sect of Mennonite, the Old Order. In my not-Old-Order opinion, she nails the people and their gentle ways from an "outsider's" view point. But don't go away with the impression that this is "just another Mennonite book," because it isn't. Though you will see into the lives of a few characters, this book is more about feeling like an outsider in any part of life. About not being good enough, not fitting in, desiring more and, eventually, letting go of the idea that life is under our control. Armchair Interviews says: If this author is new to you, check her out.

Gripping Story About Finding Your Place

This story tells the poignant journey Beth makes as she tries to find herself and establish her business. The stress of starting a successful stained glass shop could push her over the edge. Then there are the two men who are suddenly vying for her attention. Or are they vying for control of the business. Because of what happened in her relationship in the first book, she finds it hard to trust again. Kim does a magnificent job painting the setting and characters that I care deeply about. When I pick up one of her books I fully expect to be swept into the story and characters' lives. She has never disappointed me. And the spiritual journeys of the characters are richly worded and woven into the very fabric of the story. I never feel like she's preaching at me, yet the seeds she plants stay with me long after I've closed the book.

A Relaxing Read

This is an easy read, that goes really fast and is very educational about other cultures. It does not have a complicated plot, not does it go on ad nauseaum in regards to details, etc. It is relaxing and a very enjoyable book. Left me with a happy feeling.

Displays courage

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (8/07) Bloom where you are planted! There are plenty of Scripture passages which speak of being content in whatever circumstance you are in. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are told to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Oh, how hard that can be at times. Sometimes we just feel so challenged that we don't feel like giving thanks for our place in life. Beth Quinn is trying to be content with her life in Sommerfeld. She has her cell phone and other modern conveniences. She and her mother came to Sommerfeld because this is where her mother's family was. Despite not being raised in the Mennonite faith like her mother was, she has come to call Sommerfeld her home. And her mother's people have become her people. She has not joined their church but does attend it with her family. She has a firmly-rooted faith in God and His promises. She owns Quinn's Stained Glass Art Studio. She makes suncatchers and travels to various craft shows. She has dreams of opening her own showroom someday. Her cousin Andrew helps in her store since he has no desire to be a farmer like all his brothers and father. He would rather use his artistic talents even though his father doesn't agree with his pursuits. One day a suncatcher from the art studio gets sold and catches the eye of McCauley Church Construction. Sean is the son of the owner of the church construction company who has to find this talented, young lady. He proposes that she design and make a stained-glass window in order to showcase her talents. If the company likes what they see and she meets the deadline imposed, she will be granted a contract to work with them. If, for any reason, she doesn't make the deadline, or McCauley's dislike the work, all the work and expense are for nothing and Beth loses out. This could be Beth's big break into expanding her business and becoming a bigger success. In order to put up a safety net for her business, she wants to keep on producing suncatchers and doing craft shows; however, creation of this large-stained glass window will take an incredible amount of time and talent. Andrew is always willing to lend a hand. He also happens to enjoy being in Beth's company. Would it ever be possible for Beth to think of him as something other than a cousin or an employee? Beth's mother Marie has found true love in the first book of this trilogy "Bygones." Henry and Marie Koeppler are happy to be expecting twins. With Marie's age, this is a high-risk pregnancy. Never did Beth think that she would become a big sister at her age. Beth doesn't know what it is like to even have a father much less a brother and sister. An emergency forces Beth to make a choice between her family and her dreams of being a successful businesswoman. Her choices will not only impact her but also Andrew and the rest of the small town of Sommerfeld. Through her struggles, she holds steady to the verse in Philippians which st