About Us

Jan and Jim Thurston

After living most of their busy adult lives in Anchorage, Jim and Jan moved to Halibut Cove seeking quiet and stillness for their retirement, or so they thought. They mistakenly assumed this move meant they were letting go of their hope of someday having a retreat/conference center.  The unmatched beauty of Halibut Cove, a studio for Jan to do her art and a shop for Jim to work satisfied them for a while. The natural beauty that surrounded them lulled them into thinking their desire for a center was just a pipe-dream. 

Fortunately for them, and for us, a parcel of land adjacent to theirs became available. “It was as though the center followed us here”, said Jan.  They both sense this opportunity was given to them for a reason; to create a safe contemplative environment where guests can come to rekindle their spirituality and creativity.

The dream is now a reality.  The lodge and cabins provide relief from stress while hikes to the glacier, kayaking, and gallery visits reconnect guests with nature. Guests return home refreshed and renewed.

Jan and Jim have a symbiotic relationship that gives the center a life and energy all its own.  Jan is an artist, lively and has a tremendous spiritual energy about her.  Her job is marketing, program development, spiritual counseling, leading retreats and handling daily registration. Jim, a pilot, is filled with ambition, drive and direction and spends many long hours building, maintaining, and handling the administration and he is tells great stories. Like yin and yang, together they have achieved a work of art.

Their 42-year marriage has stood the test of time just as they hope the retreat center will.  Jan and Jim feel that this special treasure has been entrusted to them and know they are custodians of something far greater than themselves.  Jan (age 65) and Jim (age 72) hope the center will flourish to provide an oasis of peace for all for many years to come.