Imagine you walk through the door, look around, take it all in, and feel the tensions of the day start to roll off your shoulders in little waves.

You ask, “How did you find this place?” We look at each other, smile, pat the sofa and say, “Get comfy and we’ll share the secrets with you.”

Stretching back almost five years, our personal journeys rolled out the beginning of The Architect’s blueprints.

Stephanie was a marketing maven in the publishing business looking for new ways to bring meaningful experiences to women. Not the kind you ordinarily find in Christian clichés but those that transform you from the inside out.

Lainie was a woman passionate about products and bringing beauty into everyday life. She still sees faith woven into everything—the beautiful golden thread that ties it all together.

And Holley was a writer committed to bring hope and encouragement to the hearts of women through words. Facing personal storms and pursuing a counseling degree gave her an even deeper desire to do so.

God connected us all at DaySpring, the Christian subsidiary of Hallmark. DaySpring has always sought to connect people with the heart of God and it seemed there were more opportunities and reasons to do so than ever.

Over coffee, lunches, and conversations in the hall we realized we carried the same dream inside. This vision was to create a new home for the hearts of women. So we met, prayed, talked until long after the work day ended. We all realized this was more than a project—it was a passion.

Other amazing women like Heather Solum, Brenda Turner, Bonnie Jensen, Suzanne Holt, and Kim Marquette joined us along the way. Their fingerprints are here too and we’re so grateful.

Then the economy slid south and resources became limited. So we readjusted, prayed more, asked God to make the impossible happen. Then with virtual hammers in hand, we started construction—all the time keeping you in the forefront of our minds.

When we asked ourselves what kind of place we were building, we finally came to see it as a bit like a beach house. You can put your sandy, dirty feet on the coffee table, laugh late into the night with friends, and also hear God’s voice clearer than perhaps anywhere else. Life just feels more vibrant and real, as if you’ve stumbled upon a glimpse of heaven and it’s nothing like you ever imagined but everything you’d always hoped.

And we knew always this house didn’t belong to us—it was God’s house and we hostesses.

As walls and ceiling began to take shape, we asked ourselves, “What will we call it?” Our passion had been to restore the courage to encourage. We felt called to be real, authentic, brave women for the Kingdom and wanted to connect with other women who did as well.

Then a serious ice storm hit our area and while stuck at home Stephanie spent time praying about the name. She felt God gave her the (in) for (in)courage. It means many things—that we are in Christ, connected, and in community with each other. From all of this comes true courage.

Rooms began to take shape and the house with a new name was ready for others as well. We began to read blogs and search through products. We asked God to build a team to partner with us and He answered that prayer with over twenty amazing women that you’ll love getting to know here too.

Throughout this conversation on the couch we’d laugh, tell stories, maybe even get a little sentimental recalling some of the many “God moments” along the way.

Most of all, we’d want you to know that in answer to your question, we didn’t find this place…it found us. In so many ways, for so many reasons, and we will never be the same.

Then we’d smile, hand you a key, and say, “Welcome home.”