About Us
Rick and Barb - 2007
History of the Property
"A unique piece of land that presented a very rare custodial opportunity."
The site of Peacewhisper and the surrounding property were acquired in 1996 from the family given the original homestead patent by the United States. It soon became obvious that this old homestead had retained most of its ancient Colorado Plateau qualities. The perimeter fencing and canyon rims had protected it from the adjacent Bureau of Land Management grazing lands, leaving it pristine and thick with pinyon and old growth juniper trees. The earth was red, with areas of fragile cryptobiotic soil, bare sandstone, and the occasional shard of a 700 year-old pot. Clearly, this was a unique piece of land that presented a very rare custodial opportunity.
Maintaining these valuable ancient qualities has been paramount in the design and building of Peacewhisper.
Maintaining these valuable ancient qualities has been paramount in the design and building of Peacewhisper.
Founders' Story
Barb and Rick - 2019
The vision of Peacewhisper began many years ago with a desire to provide sacred space and spiritual retreat services for the healing and spiritual growth of others.
Originally, we had thought to operate a small retreat center in our home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. However, after years of traveling to our property in the Four Corners, it became apparent that the unique beauty, peace, and silence there offered the perfect location for a retreat center. This experience of peace and potential that overwhelmed us set the gears in motion to actualize our dream. So, after 25 years of working on our home in Steamboat Springs, we decided to sell it and were able to fully fund the entire retreat center. Thus, Peacewhisper came into being.
We have been blessed with 56 years of marriage, two daughters and sons-in-law, five beautiful granddaughters, and one adventurous great grandson. Rick's background includes 39 years in the construction and lumber business (27 years in Routt County). He owned and operated two lumber yards, one in Hayden, Colorado and the other in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Rick designed and was the general contractor of the retreat facility.
Since 1990, education and ministry have been Barb's main priorities in order to address the needs of the spiritual community and a spiritual retreat center. Her efforts have been focused in prayer, community development and leadership, spiritual direction, theology, Scripture, and retreat work. She received certification for spiritual direction from the Vincentian Institute in Denver, Colorado in 1996; received a Masters Degree in Community Leadership and Spiritual Direction from Regis University in Denver in 2002; and a commissioning from Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. to present the Centering Prayer method in 2003.
Since 1990, education and ministry have been Barb's main priorities in order to address the needs of the spiritual community and a spiritual retreat center. Her efforts have been focused in prayer, community development and leadership, spiritual direction, theology, Scripture, and retreat work. She received certification for spiritual direction from the Vincentian Institute in Denver, Colorado in 1996; received a Masters Degree in Community Leadership and Spiritual Direction from Regis University in Denver in 2002; and a commissioning from Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. to present the Centering Prayer method in 2003.