They met while attending school at Principia in St. Louis. She grew up in Ft. Lauderdale and didn't want to live on the west coast. He is from San Francisco and had no desire to be on the east coast.

Betsie and George Andrews have found mutual happiness in Reno County and raised their daughters, Kathryn and Amy.

She describes it as "a green oasis" and a place where creative aspirations can flourish. Numerous young people, and adults, too, have benefitted from her "flourishings".

Before getting here -- or, more precisely, before getting married and settling down -- Betsie had a lot she wanted to do. So...she lived in New York and was a member of the Radio City Rockettes, the world's most famous precision dance troupe. She taught dance in Rome, Italy; and followed other dreams in places as diverse as Santa Cruz, California, and Harrison, Maine.

In the meantime, George experienced living from Boston to Colorado Springs. He became an avid mountain climber and bicyclist -- over the years he has biked across the country three times. After coming to Hutchinson, George developed Mac Solutions, a computer, software, and custom programming company.

Since 1977, Betsie has been spreading her artistic flair and passion for learning around Reno County. First through Andrews Dance Studio 3100 and Toddler Tree Preschool. Her creativity led to ArtisTree which she founded in 1998 as a grass roots model for integrating arts, education, and entertainment.

What does she like most about this area? "Serenity. Peace. Space." She explains, "I can live at the rhythm I choose. There are lots of rhythms and you can be who you are." Referring to the people here as "salt of the earth" and "generous in lots of ways", she says, "There is incredible support for one's endeavors."

She feels the underpinning strengths of Reno County are: "it's safe, has clean air, is family oriented, and the cost of living is very reasonable." She sees Quivira Wildlife Refuge and Sand Hills State Park as "real pluses" and applauds the cultural amenities such as the Fox Theatre, Stringer Fine Arts Center, Hutchinson Art Association, Memorial Hall, Flag Theatre, and the Cosmosphere.

"Whatever your passion," Betsie believes, "the space is here to do it."

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