Beginnings Read Online Free PDF Page B

every state of the continental United States.”
    He leaned his elbow on the edge of the table, using his finger to trace the outside edge of a rose-colored piece of glass. “We’ve commissioned stained-glass windows from other companies, and we have no complaints. But...” His smile broadened. “You’ve captured our attention.”
    Beth put her hand against her chest, rearing back in puzzlement. “Me? How?”
    Sean released a chuckle. “My aunt purchased one of your suncatchers at a craft fair in Olathe—a purple butterfly.”
    Beth nodded. “One of my best sellers.”
    Sean’s smile sent a spiral of warmth through her middle. “I can see why. It’s a great design. My dad and I were astounded when she showed it to us. The illusion of depth. That’s really quite rare in stained glass.”
    “I don’t claim credit for it,” Beth said, her heart pattering. “It’s a gift from my Creator. I simply want to use it.”
    The approval in Sean’s unique eyes increased the tempo of her heartbeat. “That appeals to me, too. As a Christian company, it’s important to us to glorify God through our business dealings. You seem to be a good fit for us between your commitment to working for God’s glory and your amazing ability in stained-glass art.”
    Andrew, always quiet around strangers, surprised Beth by inserting a question. “How would you go about putting Beth on your payroll?”
    Sean shot Andrew a quick look before turning back to Beth. “You wouldn’t officially be an employee of McCauley Church Construction. We’d commission you the same way you were commissioned by the gallery in Wichita.”
    Andrew nodded, and Beth felt a prick of aggravation. Since when did her business dealings require his approval? Shifting on her stool, she angled her shoulders to partially block Andrew from Sean’s line of vision. “How many windows are we talking about here?”
    Sean shrugged. “There’s no way to say. It depends on many factors.” He picked up a piece of glass from the table and examined it. “Have you worked with the heavier leaded glass?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued. “What’s the largest piece you’ve constructed? Are you willing to sign a waiver that, if the piece doesn’t meet our standards of excellence, you will absorb the loss? Can you set aside other projects and focus on designing for us exclusively when under deadline?”
    Beth’s head spun. Although she’d tried to exclude Andrew, she now found herself turning her head to seek his advice. He stared dumbly at Sean, his mouth open slightly as though he were as taken aback as she felt. She’d get no help from him. She turned back to Sean.
    “Let’s try one question at a time.” Taking a deep breath, she began a series of careful replies. “First, this is the weight of glass I’ve used so far, but my equipment can handle the heavier glass. It’s just that I’ve done smaller projects, so I’ve only had need of the lighter weight. Second”—she gestured toward the display bench—“the largest piece I’ve constructed so far is the cardinal piece.”
    Sean glanced at it again. “Impressive, but small compared to what we would need for most churches.”
    A wave of panic pressed from Beth’s chest. “What size do you need?”
    Sean removed a slip of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and handed it over. Beth looked at it, her eyes widening. The dimensions were three times the size of the cardinal piece. She showed the paper to Andrew, sucking in a deep breath of fortification when his eyebrows shot to his hairline.
    Andrew whistled through his teeth. “That’s a good-sized piece.”
    “Yes, it is,” Sean agreed, “but it’s smaller than some. In one of our churches, we commissioned a stained-glass window that was nine feet wide and twelve feet high.”
    Beth had seen projects of that size and had wondered what it would be like to create something of that magnitude. Now the opportunity lay in front of her, if