Lew and Kathryn own the Ozark Artist Retreat and Studio in Shell Knob, MO, which is also available for private rentals through VRBO and AirBNB.

A California native, Lew is a skilled craftsman, musician and sculptor. His roots in John Steinbeck country on the Monterey Peninsula in California can be seen through his work, and throughout the home in the Steinbeck suite. His art studio is on the property and may be available for private use upon request.

Kathryn, an Oklahoma native, is a professor of social and behavioral sciences at California State University, Monterey Bay. After 35 years on the west coast, Lew and Kathryn purchased 17 acres which had been part of an 1800 acre parcel in Kathryn's family for nearly 180 years. The retreat is located on this land where Lew and Kathryn's have built their private home and guest house.