Mesa Refuge played a critical role in my transition from nonprofit executive to author—helping me find my voice when I needed it most. Mesa’s grassroots orientation makes it a rare jewel among residencies.
I wrote at the edge of the restored wetlands of Tomales Bay. Like grief, the terrain was in constant flux.
The word “refuge” has never been better suited to a place or experience. Imagine scribbling in your notepad, overlooking Tomales Bay with a cup of just-brewed coffee and a freshly picked apple from the garden at your side.
We were told we would get more writing done than we anticipated. I didn’t believe it…and then there I was, two days before the end of my residency, with a full first draft of my book.