Nic was thankful Thomas and Karyn were sitting at the conference table near her, ready to help if she needed it.
She was also grateful the three of them had rehearsed her presentation several times over the last few days. In spite of the intense shock that she’d just received — seeing Daniel with Courtney, Max’s widow, she was confident that she’d still be able to give a passable presentation.
Inwardly, she shrugged. Nic reminded herself that there were options, if the board refused to help. All she needed was help finding and vetting new artists, and there were many alternatives available. It had been out of respect for Max that she’d come to the Foundation first.
Glenn started the meeting, and passed the reins to her.
She turned her back on the board members, fussed a bit with the renderings sitting on the easel and then stepping to the side, she began to speak.
“As you may or may not know, I received my MFA in Painting several years ago. While grad school is certainly a challenge,” she smiled and looked around the room, “Making the transition into the real world is even harder.”
“I was fortunate. I moved here to the DC area and found a job at a graphic design firm until I was juried into the Torpedo Factory.
“Many newly minted MFAs are not that lucky. Leaving the nurturing environment of art school can mean losing any hope of a successful and self-supporting career.
“In many cases, a transition plan—offering free housing, a supportive atmosphere, along with needed resources—would make all the difference between living life as a productive artist and...” She paused for effect, “becoming a cab driver.”
Courtney Hayes moved restlessly in her chair at the cab driver comment. Nic had deliberately chosen that reference. The other board members were longtime friends of Maxfield Hayes and his early tenure as a cabbie was an often cited part of his “Great Artist” mystique.
Nic wanted the help that the Foundation could give her and she was campaigning hard... using every trick in the book.
Turning back the cover sheet on the first rendering, she displayed a long shot of the Warfield’s Landing school building. The color pencil sketch showed the building as it would look, when the renovations were complete.
“This is an old school in Warfield’s Landing, Maryland, along the Susquehanna River, right off I-95 and near the Delaware state line. It’s in the process of being converted into small condos with studios attached.”
She pulled the current rendering off of the easel and placed it on the table, then flipped the cover back on the next one, revealing a board with two illustrated floorplans.
Pointing with a pen, she showed the apartments and studios while she explained what was planned.
“The first floor has four one bedroom condo/studio units. The two classrooms at the front end of the building will be used as classrooms for weekend workshops or similar activities.”
Moving to the next floorplan, “Here is the second floor. Again, there are four one bedroom units, and over the first floor classrooms we have two one bedroom units without attached studios. They may be used for artists who have studio space in a different part of the facility or for writers, or maybe visiting teachers.”
Gesturing toward the back of both floorplans, “Here on the first floor, we have a much larger three bedroom apartment and studio for an artist with a family. The corresponding unit on the second floor will be my personal space.”
She placed that rendering on the table and revealed the next one. “Several blocks away from the school, on the main street of Warfield’s Landing, we’ve purchased a storefront with four apartments above. This will provide Gallery and office space, along with a potential income stream from the apartments.”
“The buildings have been purchased and construction has begun. We anticipate that the school will be ready for occupancy in early January. The Gallery space may be ready even before that.”
Nic smiled and glanced around the room again. She had been so intent on her presentation, she had almost forgotten that Daniel was there with Courtney Hayes. Almost. Ruthlessly she pulled her thoughts away. Focus, Nic, focus.
She took a breath. As she started to speak again, a hard voice interrupted.
“I have a question.”
Of course it was Courtney. Nic kept the smile on her face. She’d regained her confidence during her presentation. This was too important to allow Courtney to put her off track.
She felt sorry for Courtney. The way Max had tied Courtney’s inheritance to her - Nic’s - acceptance of her own, still made her blood boil, but, this project was something she was willing to fight for.
Nic nodded to acknowledge Courtney and smiled, consciously relaxing her jaw.
“What are you asking the board for? Money?”
Well, that was coming out swinging. Nic was determined to hold the high road.
She hadn’t finished her presentation, but clearly, she needed to address this... now. She made sure her tone was even and reasonable.
“Ideally, I’d like the Foundation to help find and vet candidates. Initially, I’d expect most of the candidates to come from other Hayes Foundation programs. Down the road, we may be able to reach out to additional Arts organizations.”
Nic looked around to see how the other board members were responding to this exchange. “If the Foundation chooses to help with stipends of some kind, that would be appreciated, but it isn’t necessary.”
“Because you’re using my husband’s money.” The tone of voice was vicious. From the corner of her eye, Nic saw Karyn put a calming hand on Thomas’s arm.
Nic forced a smile, again. It was time she showed that she couldn’t be pushed around. While her sympathies lay with Courtney, no matter what the other woman though... she wasn’t going to be anyone’s doormat.
“No,” she said evenly. “I’m using the money your husband left me.”
That did it...
Daniel grabbed Courtney’s arm as she rose in her seat. Nic held her ground. After all, there was a large conference table between them.
Glenn, Max’s executor and chairman of the Foundation board stood and called for order. Eventually, there was quiet... although calm had left the building.
“Thank you for your presentation, Nic. This is a very intriguing opportunity you’ve offered the Foundation. Does anyone else have questions regarding this program?”
The discussion that followed was respectful and straightforward. Thomas and Karyn each answered a couple of questions about the actual building projects.
In spite of everything, Nic felt that she’d been able to present a good case for her project.
The truth was, she didn’t need the Foundation to make all this happen. If necessary, she could put together a staff to find and screen potential candidates, but doing so would take time away from her own painting, which she was trying to avoid.
A short while later, she, Thomas, and Karyn were packing up their presentation materials. The board had voted and there had only been one dissenting vote. It was Courtney’s but that didn’t surprise anyone.
Now it looked like Courtney was Daniel’s CeeCee? It had taken Nic most of the meeting to figure that one out. Nic felt sorry for the widow. Courtney thought that Max had been emotionally involved with her. He had been, but not in the way his widow suspected.
Daniel, Courtney, and Luke had been incredibly close and supportive of each other for most of their lives. Nic treasured her friendship with Thomas and Karyn and, with that thought, she resolved not to put Daniel in the difficult position of choosing.
Nic didn’t want Daniel to be forced to choose between her or Courtney. They were adults. He was a loving and generous man... she was certain there was room in his heart for both of them. But Courtney had made it clear that he was hers, in whatever capacity.
Mentally, Nic shook her head. Yeah... that sounded good. The reality? She knew he shouldn’t have to choose, but it sure hurt to think that he hadn’t chosen her...
Nic looked back as she walked out the door. Courtney was upset and talking with Glenn, Daniel had an arm around her, and was listening intently.
He didn’t even look up when she left.