People

Jana at lunch break: Day 1

Jana Johnston – Builder

Jana is a KU grad and works at Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant in downtown Lawrence, KS. She loves Jesus and enjoys obscure languages, foreign cultures, and making things. She leaves for Korea in July, but hopes to learn all she can about building with dirt before she leaves!

Ben is cool

Ben Alexander – Builder Sidekick, yay!

Ben is studying at KU to be an expert in soil and growing plants, or something like that. He spent 6 months at the orphanage that I love in Paraguay helping them improve their garden and teaching some of the kids how to tend it to produce food. All to say, Ben is excited about dirt too and he is my motivating and helpful partner for my straw bale building.

Phil and Eileen Beard

Phil and Eileen Beard – Owners

The Beards are the couple that Jana currently lives with in her post college transition. Their youngest daughter, Ellen, is close friends with Jana. Phil is an Editor at Allen Press and Eileen a kindergarten teacher. When the straw bale shed idea was proposed to them, they were pleased to have an affordable way to replace their decaying tin shed.

Thanks Phil and Eileen for supporting my project!

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yay Rick

Rick Stone – project MVP (most valuable person-volunteer!)

Rick is married to Randy, both originally from Topeka. Rick is studying acoustical architectural engineering at KU, so he generally likes building things (thank God! hehe). I know Rick and Randy from my church that meets at the Christenot’s house. He is helping me “for fun” over his Spring break and has been the #1 best asset to my sustainable construction learning project.

Thanks a ton Rick