November 24, 2025 • 41 mins
On this Hope Unlocked episode, designer and entrepreneur Christian Stone shares how God took her from a hard childhood and deep grief over losing her daughter to building Wrecked and Refined—a faith-fueled lifestyle brand with luxury short-term rentals in Montana, intentional interior design, and handmade home products. She talks about reading Proverbs daily, embracing the Proverbs 31 woman, launching Kingdom Legacy Academy homeschool co-op, and even becoming a Cabi stylist as a surprising path to healing, joy, health, and confidence. This conversation is for anyone craving beauty from ashes, small steps, and a fresh start with God.
Christian's contact info:
Website - www.wreckedrefined.com
Email - Wreckedrefined@gmail.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:16):
Welcome to the Hope Unlock Podcast.
I'm your host, Kristen Kurtz,and I'm also the founder of New
Wings Coaching.
I help and empower wild-heartedand adventurous women of faith
feeling caged and stuck, unlocktheir true purpose and
potential, break free fromlimitations, and thrive with
confidence, courage, and hope.
If you're curious to learn moreabout coaching with me, head to
NewWinksCoaching.net and be sureto explore the show notes for
(00:38):
ways to connect with me further.
Get ready to dive in as weuncover empowering keys and
insights in this episode.
So tune in and let's unlock hopetogether.
Welcome to the Hope Unlockedpodcast.
I'm Kristen Kurtz, your host.
I pray this episode is like aholy IV of hope for your soul.
Please help me welcome ChristianStone to the show.
I'm so excited to have her heretoday.
(01:00):
We had a chance to actually talkfor quite some time before we
got started.
Um, and I I just love thesekindred connections that the
Lord puts together.
So before we get into um yourstory, would you be able to tell
us a little bit about yourself?
SPEAKER_00 (01:14):
Yes, thank you, Kristen, for having me on.
I am an entrepreneur.
I have a few differentbusinesses that I'm running, and
my husband now is running themalongside me.
And we are uh parents of sixchildren, and we have a few
adopted children that we love.
SPEAKER_02 (01:37):
Um and we they keep us busy, and same with the
businesses.
Wow.
So six kids, how manybusinesses?
SPEAKER_00 (01:49):
Uh right now, we basically have an umbrella
company, which is reped andrefined.
Okay.
And we started with remodelinghomes, flipping homes, and I
became a designer.
Did not know that was somethingthat I had a gifting for.
And we I God gave me a dreamquite a few years ago.
(02:12):
My husband was not excited aboutit at all.
We turned one of our homes intoa short-term rental.
Okay.
And we had been in long-termrental experience before, but we
did that.
I thought it would be a greatidea after the dream, and we
turned our primary residenceinto a short-term rental and
(02:34):
moved into a flip property withtwo residents and remodeled that
while we were living in it atthe time with four kids.
Oh my gosh.
So my husband became acontractor over the 20 years of
um our relationship history.
As with 2007, we were married.
Within a few months, we startedflipping homes.
(02:56):
Oh wow.
And then now we're in theshort-term rental business.
We have seven luxury rentalsthat we're running in our small
city of 60,000 in Montana.
And they're uh I never wouldhave thought it would turn into
(03:18):
something as it is, but here weare.
And we are cleaning as well.
So I would say we have part ofthat umbrella is cleaning and
maintenance, construction,remodel, and then the design
portion.
And we are in long-term,mid-term, and short-term
rentals.
(03:39):
And I also needed to get intothe real estate industry.
So I was aware of market pricesand finding properties.
And so back in, I believe, 2015,I became a realtor.
And I sometimes work with buyersand sellers not that often.
And I do enjoy selling andlisting properties, start to
(04:03):
finish, take the pressure off ofsellers, get it in to I will
stage them and design them ifneed be, and then put them on
market and do marketing.
SPEAKER_02 (04:12):
Wow.
So you I love this, I love thename of your business, Wrecked
and Refined.
SPEAKER_00 (04:18):
Yeah.
Yes, God gave me that name.
I have been prophesied over afew times, different events,
different people that I wouldwrite a book.
And I was really struggling aswhat I would be writing.
I don't have a great backgroundin English or writing, creating
an essay was like pulling teeth.
(04:41):
And so when I heard that, Iwould be like the Moses to
speak.
This is the impossible.
And what I ended up um justasking the Lord on a drive one
day, Lord, if you want me towrite this book, I just can you
at least give me the name of thetitle of the book?
(05:03):
And the name was he just he sayswrecked and refined.
And I thought, oh my gosh, Icouldn't even make this up
because it's exactly what mycompany was at the time.
We buy homes, completely putthem in disarray, wreck them,
and then start over, uh,essentially, and then we refine
(05:24):
them.
And what does God do in ourlife?
We we're a wreck, and then herefines us once we give our life
to him.
So I thought not just inbusiness, it fits perfectly, but
then in the relationship withthe Lord is what we're living.
And what my business before wasgolden rule real estate when we
(05:46):
first started, we were firstmarried.
And we chose, and I chose thatbecause you know, do unto others
as you'd like done unto you.
But then uh when God gave me theword wrecked and refined for the
book, I decided to rebrand.
And so I rebranded and built awebsite and all under wrecked
(06:07):
and refined.
SPEAKER_02 (06:08):
That's beautiful.
Oh my gosh.
I want to I want to go back fora second because I feel like
even about the book, and we weretalking a little bit about you
know our voices and Moses andyou know what I mean, like this
this thing that comes for manyof us of like I'm not eloquent
of speech, because it's it'ssomething that came for me too.
And I'm I'm probably still noteloquent of speech, and that's
(06:29):
okay because I've just learnedthat I don't know, he can use
anybody, right?
But when it comes to the writingaspect, um, you know, you
mentioned, you know, maybe notbeing the best with essays, and
I just had this like, I don'tknow if it's revelation,
epiphany or what have you, butum, I don't know about you, but
back in school, I didn'tnecessarily like the subjects
(06:49):
that they were talking about.
It it seemed pointless to me alot of the time.
And I'm just being real.
So a lot of the essays that we'dbe tasked to write would
probably be about something thatwe weren't even interested in.
Right.
So now you get an opportunity,and I'm speaking to others maybe
that maybe had that experienceas well.
You're gonna have an opportunityto like Holy Ghost write
(07:14):
whatever it is that you want towrite about without there being
restrictions being graded.
You know what I mean?
I just had to share that.
SPEAKER_00 (07:23):
Yeah, that's really good.
Yeah.
And I think that that's why my Iwe've been successful in
business is well, for one, uhfollowing Proverbs and just
honoring the Lord's word in thechoices that we make.
SPEAKER_01 (07:38):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (07:38):
Heart being hardworking as well.
And then on top of it, whatyou're interested in, they say
if you're gonna do it for freeor it's something you love doing
and you won't even want to go tosleep at night.
You get into that kind ofbusiness, then you you normally
(07:58):
will be successful becauseyou're very passionate about it,
same thing.
But you're writing aboutsomething interesting, same as
reading a book as well.
Yeah, you're gonna finish it ifit's interesting.
SPEAKER_02 (08:09):
Right.
It's like, well, we'll just keepthis one on the bookshelf.
Yeah.
Isn't that cool?
Um so I encourage you in thatfor sure.
I love your book, like how it'sjust this umbrella over
everything.
Um, I I caught that you said youyou didn't really know that you
had designing in you.
Um, what did that look like foryou to step into that?
(08:31):
Like, what was the Lord showingyou in that realm?
SPEAKER_00 (09:11):
Uh well, I feel like there is so many women that want
to design.
And I guess I just never thoughtI had that gifting.
And I had signed up for acollege course and I never
completed the course.
But I did love it.
(09:32):
I just didn't think I would everbe a designer or call myself
designer.
But when you have something thatyou're remodeling and it's your
livelihood, you get to be reallygood at knowing what you're
doing so that you'll besuccessful in the sale or
renting.
And I actually, now that I know,it probably brings me the great
(09:53):
as fire.
Which, for example, if I go intoa home and it's something that I
really love, and I know thatthere's so much good bones to a
home, walls may need to be movedor knocked down, or maybe the
kitchen's in the wrong spotspot, or rooms are so tight, the
whole house feels combined, andwe have to open up the entire
(10:14):
home and start over, but keepthe walls.
I get so excited about the yes,and I can spend hours shopping
for light fixtures, which isinsane.
Wow, and um, and I do.
I will for fixtures and lightlighting in a home, I can spend
hours and hours and hoursshopping, and I go to the depths
(10:38):
of the internet looking for theright chandelier, but uh I enjoy
it, so I really don't think thatit's work.
And as I started doing that,each home for how I start to
design is it's almost like Godgives me some intuition of this
this design would be reallyawesome.
(10:59):
For example, we did a luxuryhome.
Uh, we call it from a family,the big barn.
And it's one of the most lovedproperties in our area.
And that one I had aribestlantern, which I didn't even
know what that was at the time.
I just knew I liked the style.
And I implemented thatthroughout the entire home in
different little quiet, it was aquiet design.
(11:24):
And then there were some boldareas like in a shower, the
walls with this air bestlantern, the backsplash in the
kitchen that went from counterto ceiling.
And then there's built-in custombenches that the design is in
the face of the wood of thebench, but just real subtle,
(11:44):
like someone could stay in thehouse and not even notice it.
But if they really start to seethose details, they're there.
And that's I I feel like thatwas divinely given by God for
creativity.
Yes.
And even to the point of we didflower boxes, which flower boxes
I don't feel like is popular andhasn't been popular the entire
(12:06):
15, 20 years of designing.
But for me, it just wassomething special, same with the
benches and homes.
And I even had custom arabesquelantern welding done to put on
these flower boxes.
So I'm using metals and wood andtile to integrate this beautiful
(12:32):
design.
And I just give all glory to Godbecause I don't know where it
came from, other than he justdoesn't give me these ideas.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (12:40):
I love that so much.
Like I'm just hearing likeprophetic properties.
Oh, thank you.
Yeah, that's awesome.
Yeah, because you're, I mean, alot of this I do, let's just
say, for example, a lot ofpeople wouldn't know this, but
like when I do like graphics,there's a lot of elements that
people would have no idea thatthere's like this intentional
meaning behind the things that Ido.
(13:01):
And you get to infuse that intothese properties.
I'm sure, like, have you heardanybody like pick up on any of
these things?
Like, have they noticed it thatyou've heard of before?
When I design them, like if you,you know, these like things that
you're like, yep, there'sintentionality here, and maybe
somebody wouldn't see it.
Have you has anybody actuallyseen it before?
SPEAKER_00 (13:21):
They picked up very rare.
And oftentimes when people comein to stay at this is a
short-term rental.
Oftentimes, people I don'tinteract with them, they check
in, check out, and they mayleave.
And we're a five-star company inGreat Falls, so there's no
complaints.
There is a lot of compliments onwe love the design, everything
(13:46):
was beyond our expectations,better than the photos that were
pictured, and so a lot ofcompliments of that, but it not
no no one really says, I noticedthis, but I think if I was to do
a tour and pointed those thingsout, I think it would be an awe
moment for some people.
SPEAKER_02 (14:04):
I love that.
Oh my gosh.
So you're in Montana, and yousaid you have seven properties
in the same like town that youlive in.
SPEAKER_00 (14:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (14:15):
Okay.
And how long ago have you didyou start doing this?
Like several charters,properties?
SPEAKER_00 (14:22):
Um, gosh, we were the only ones doing it, and I
kept it very quiet.
You would only know we weredoing it because of someone who
might be on the websites lookingto book.
And so a lot of people withinGreat Falls, even family
members, didn't know that wewere doing it.
Um, and I want to say that was2015.
(14:48):
I think it was 2015.
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (14:50):
Now, did you like kind of keep it undercover?
I guess I'll use the wordundercover for a reason.
SPEAKER_00 (14:56):
Oh, for sure.
I feel when you're starting abusiness, there can be so much
negativity from a lot of people.
It no matter anything new orpart of your dreams, I feel like
you keep that between you andthe Lord and just move forward.
And you'll know when to announceit.
And another thing for thatreason is a lot of people, for
(15:20):
example, I'll see a mattressstore go up and I know, okay,
now five other people are gonnago and copy this idea.
Sure.
Yeah.
So I really I didn't, I you haveenough to struggle with in
starting business.
I don't want to have to strugglewith competition as well.
Yeah.
And so that's why I kept itquiet for that reason, but I've
(15:41):
always done that in business.
I, for example, I just had anopportunity come up a couple
weeks ago, which are wrecked andrefined.
I'm labeling it as a lifestylebrand because I believe it could
potentially become home productswhere I'm already I'm already
(16:03):
implementing home products likesoaps, candles, conditioner, and
body wash and shampoo within ourshort-term rentals.
I love that.
So gently and subtly rebrand ornot rebranding, but bringing in
expanding.
From rebranding to expanding.
Yeah, there, thank you.
(16:24):
Perfect.
But yeah, so doing it gently,and then I'm hoping to do more
on a mass level this year whereI can create 200 gift baskets
with those products just topeople in our community, family
members, Christmas gifts,homemade products, but from rec
(16:44):
and refines, and then givingthose as gifts, kind of up to
see how long it's gonna take usto build these, build these
baskets, and also how it goesover with people who receive
them.
SPEAKER_02 (16:58):
Wow.
And when will those be are thoseavailable just locally for you
or are they like shippable?
SPEAKER_00 (17:05):
Uh I haven't even looked into shipping.
So for me, where I was gonnastart is to start making the
baskets and putting it out thereon social media as we're giving
this basket away free.
Um kind of to get a get a feelof what interest it is and it
how how good of idea is it?
(17:26):
And go from there.
Yeah, well, if it's a god idea,God's idea, I say it's a good
idea.
Yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_02 (17:33):
For sure.
Um, now are you making theproducts too?
Yes, yeah.
Okay, you were like the Proverbs31 woman.
SPEAKER_00 (17:42):
Hey, that's funny because I was thinking about how
would I properly prepare for mymy podcast today with Kristen
Kurtz.
And it was really to balance outProverbs 31 Woman.
SPEAKER_02 (17:55):
Okay, well, tell us a little bit more about that
then.
SPEAKER_00 (17:59):
Um in the beginning of my marriage, I well, I'll
start in the beginning of mychildhood real quick.
I grew up uh up until age threein an alcoholic home.
And one of my parents became aum recovering alcoholic, quit
drinking for many years, andabout 13, one of my parents left
(18:23):
and I became one of the uh well,the caretaker of the home and
cooking and cleaning.
And so I had to grow up prettyfast.
Yeah.
And as the oldest of three, itwas not something I really
thought about as being uhdifficult.
You just did what you needed todo to make things work.
(18:45):
And I met my husband at a youngage in high school, and it
wasn't the greatestrelationship, but it was he was
a Christian, I was a Christian.
I lived more in a Christ-likehome in those really wonderful
years that my parents weregetting along.
And uh my husband did not, hehad a very toxic home life, even
(19:08):
though uh one of his parents wasa Christian, and he even went to
Christian school, privateschool.
So he knew a lot about theBible, but not a lot about
implementing it.
So when I when we got married in2007, uh we were in Arizona at
that time, and I was taking realestate investment classes with
my stepdad.
(19:30):
And my husband wanted to comeback to Montana, and he had to
bribe me back to Montana with aburrito, actually, because I
didn't burrito.
That's all it takes, is aburrito.
That's what it was for me.
Chipotle burrito.
So, anyways, that we got backhome, and as we were coming down
the hill into our home area, theI'm thinking, dreading that I
(19:56):
kept coming back to this place.
And the Lord says to me, bigthings come from small places.
And I thought, okay, Lord, okay.
So that's when I started ourfirst flip.
And my husband, after I think itwas like one day or two days on
the project, he was very upset,and this is we cannot do this.
(20:20):
So, fast forward to where I havethree kids in tow, that's when
we do our short-term rental.
And um, as being a mother withthree kids, a husband that was
working on the road, not homevery often.
When he was home, he wascatching up on sleep.
I really, it was verysacrificial.
(20:44):
Yeah, and I gave up a lot.
My husband had not given upmuch.
Uh, he was providing a greatprovider, but also part of the
toxic trait that he brought intoour home is his parents divorced
because of bankruptcy.
And so he brought on this fearof not enough money, uh, we
(21:04):
could lose everything.
And actually, we had separatebank accounts.
And then that's when I starteduh as an entrepreneur building
business, multiple businesses,and one of them uh was uh
daycare, and I had my childrenat home and a big part of my day
to start was in Proverbs.
(21:27):
I had heard someone in businessthat said the best thing you can
do is read a chapter of Proverbsa day to go along with the day
of the month because there's 31chapters, and so when I come to
the Proverbs 31 woman, I decidedto really dig deep into that and
figure out how I can be aProverbs 31 woman and honor the
(21:48):
Lord, be a wonderful wife for myhusband.
There was an experience earlieron in our marriage where we only
have one child, and he wastalking to our neighbor who had
it all together in her home andvery organized and systematic,
and I did not have that.
And he had said, I overheard himsay, Yeah, Christian's not much
(22:09):
of a homemaker, and that reallyhurt me.
And he I he would feel terribleknowing that, but that was
really my motivator to justbecome an excellent steward of
the home in Proverbs 31 Woman.
She had it all together, and Iknew I wanted to have a
(22:29):
business.
So, what I loved about her isthat she created her own
vineyards and sold land andbought land, and I was already
doing that in real estate.
So I just really connected withher and studied that, bought a
few books.
There really wasn't a lot ofbooks.
I don't even know if now there'sa lot about the Proverbs 31
woman, but studied the one I didfind.
(22:55):
Which one was that?
Um, I think it's by DonnaParteau.
And I have to say it was it wasgood, but I feel there there's a
that's a niche area that couldreally be developed.
SPEAKER_02 (23:12):
Yeah, maybe somebody named Christian could write a
book about it.
Oh my word, yeah.
Do you know anybody with thatname?
SPEAKER_00 (23:24):
I do actually.
Just saying.
SPEAKER_02 (23:29):
Okay.
Carry on.
SPEAKER_00 (23:31):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (23:32):
I'm writing a note on here.
SPEAKER_00 (23:34):
I'll pray into that, President.
SPEAKER_02 (23:38):
Yeah, so you're just getting wrecked by and refined
by the Proverbs 31 woman who's ahomemaker and steward of the
home.
And what are you doing now?
SPEAKER_00 (23:51):
So what just came over me, I can't, I wish I'm
sorry, I should have been moreprepared on having the verse
out.
But she's a virtuous woman, butshe also, you know, makes her
own clothes.
And yeah, I see her as dressedreally well.
Well, this is what's reallyfunny is um just recently um we
(24:11):
I feel like there's so much Icould share, and I'm gonna I'm
gonna summarize some quickthings and you can follow up if
you want me to expand on it.
But my husband and I felt thecalling of the Lord to
homeschool our boys.
We have four at home right now,one in college.
And then we um decided to starta Kingdom Legacy Academy.
(24:34):
And it really what it is is ahomeschool co-op.
So the struggle was is we hadone son who struggles with ADHD,
and but he's very intelligent,musically gifted, and he started
homeschooling, but we wererealizing there was almost a
sort of depression because oflack of interaction with having
(24:56):
community.
And so we knew having all of ourboys at home would build some of
that community, but we needed tobranch out, support other
families, and then also haverelationships for our kids.
So we just decided to do KingdomLegacy Academy.
And what that is, is it's ahomeschool co-op where we're
currently utilizing our home.
(25:18):
We're waiting on insurance.
There's a church in town that'soffered up their building
graciously, uh complete gift.
And God is totally God on this.
It's nothing like my kids say,who would ever thought mom would
be running an academy?
And I'm like, oh, I've seen Goddo some crazy things.
SPEAKER_02 (25:38):
So well, like going from like she's not a homemaker
to right, yeah, for exactly.
Totally flipped the script here,yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (25:47):
And so one of the things I'm realizing is what
we've really just been playingit uh one situation at a time.
And one of there's a kid in ourlife who um had a severe head
injury, and his parents bothwork and are not equipped to be
able to homeschool him, but theyknew that this we use L U O A as
(26:11):
our curriculum curriculum, whichis Liberty University's online
academy K through 12.
Really amazing program.
I love how structured it is, andit's the basis is teaching off
of the Bible and very rigorous,actually.
But my um, so so our family, ourfriend, friends of the family,
(26:33):
their son wanted to do it withour boys, and we really wanted
to have him as a part of thisprogram, and so he actually is
one of our like our child whilehe's here doing his studies, and
they needed someone to be ableto facilitate for him.
And so he's just become part ofour village, our family.
(26:54):
And then we had other familiesthat wanted to be a part of it
as well, and that was divinelydone even before we had
announced we were doing thisacademy.
These families were startingwith LUA.
They'd heard about it from oursons through their private
school, had signed them up, andthen we had put this
announcement out there that wewere doing this, and they
(27:15):
contacted me, not even knowingthem, and saying, Hey, we've
already registered, but we wantto be a part of this academy.
So it completely God, and we'reso thankful for it.
Our boys are being taught a lotof life skills, agriculture, um,
and all of our students, andthat was a big thing for us.
But to go back to where theProverbs 31 woman comes in is
(27:40):
recently one of the things wewere doing with our academy is
showing entrepreneurship in thatthere was this woman who is
moving, she had a boutique inher home, and she's a cabbie
stylist, and we went and tookall the kids to experience what
she has in her home, what she'sdoing to be successful, and then
asking her her questions, prosand cons of what she does.
(28:02):
The girls loved it, the boys, ofcourse, wasn't their thing.
Sure.
But when I had talked to herafter the kids had left, uh, she
had mentioned I should become acabbie stylist.
I'm like, I have way too much todo.
Are you kidding me?
And she goes, I would I'm movingout of state, and I have clients
(28:22):
that would love to come to youand you can have my business
that I've built.
And I thought, when does thathappen?
But I just have it, just takeit.
Yeah.
And I thought, no, I I don'tknow about this.
So she started explaining to me,well, you get a fall and winter
wardrobe, and then for the nextseason, you get spring and
(28:44):
summer, and there's in-betweensholiday season, etc.
etc.
I was a little overwhelmed, butbut I love the clothes.
And what we struggle with in ourarea is we do not have great
places to shop.
And I don't have the timeeither, nor do I really feel
like I'm great with um what I'mwearing for my outfits.
(29:09):
And not because not because I'mnot trying, it's because I
really haven't reallyimplemented that in my life.
And let me go back a few years,um, that this is unrelatable in
such a way of it's my greatesttrial.
We lost our daughter in 2017.
(29:31):
And she was my firstborn.
Thank you very much.
And her name is Isabella Faith,and I know that she's in heaven
waiting for us when we arriveand we cross over the promised
land.
But until then, I'm gonna do mydarnest to um take back what the
enemy tried to steal, kill, anddestroy in my life.
And one of those things that hetook for me is my daughter and I
(29:55):
had a love for fashion.
We had um a love for hair andall these things early.
And I when I lost my daughter, Igave up all of that.
And I have now five boys and myhusband, and there is no sense
of fashion in this house unlessit's forced.
(30:16):
Sure.
I get it.
SPEAKER_02 (30:20):
I'm a house of men too.
SPEAKER_00 (30:24):
Oh, um, but what I realized when she was telling me
about being in a stylistposition, I started thinking,
well, what if I was just astarter.
With the first wardrobe becauseI would have I wouldn't have to
go shop for it, save me on time.
And then it's um a great pricebecause you're getting at a
(30:47):
stylish price and not payingfull price.
And so I ended up doing it andshe invited me at a couple of
her fashion shows and fashionparties.
And I have to tell you, Kristen,I was I've been a tomboy for
most of my life.
I love construction.
I can talk race cars with men.
But when it comes to beingaround with women, I really
(31:10):
struggle.
And I went to these parties,these women were having so much
fun.
They were supporting each other,encouraging each other.
I'll tell you what, I know thismight be really not the thing to
say, but there was moreencouragement in life in this
non-Christian environment thanI've seen in any other area with
(31:33):
women.
Um, and they said you're cominginto a season of joy and of
healing.
And the other thing is after Ilost my daughter, is I gave up
on my health.
(31:53):
I didn't care that I was gainingweight, and food is my comfort
or has been my comfort.
And so I have been trying forprobably about four years to
lose 60 to 70 pounds.
And a huge reason of why Iwasn't fashionable either in
some ways, because I was just sodefeated on how much my body had
(32:16):
changed.
SPEAKER_02 (32:17):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (32:17):
And so this I started about a month ago as the
stylist, and I'm wearing theseclothes, loving them, and then
also it has got me into the mosthighly disciplined lifestyle in
eating healthy, working outdaily, inspired to not just look
(32:44):
cute in my attire, but feelgreat.
And how can I couldn't even makethis up of how divinely God is
orchestrating this?
And what I'm realizing is usbeing a lifestyle brand, well,
through my cabbie onlinewebsite, which I received as a
(33:05):
stylist, is now part of my rectand refined brand as I see it.
So love it.
I I go out in public and tochurch, and women are saying, Oh
my gosh, I love your browncorduroy jeans.
Where'd you get those?
I'm like, actually, I'm acabbie.
SPEAKER_02 (33:23):
Oh my gosh.
Yeah, you you're like ahomemaker, homeschooler, like
body stylist.
There's like a designer, likebeyond designing, like you get
to help people like with theirhome design, but then the
outside of their you know bodydesign as well.
(33:45):
Right.
And you're in the middle, you'rein the middle of it.
Like you're in this rere-identifying process, which is
beautiful, and you get to tellpeople about this starting here.
I mean, you said a month ago youjust started doing this.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (34:00):
And I've already lost four pounds.
I lost four inches in the firstweek just by detoxing.
And I have about eight to tenmonths to go.
Yeah, and before I would justdread, oh, that's so long.
How defeating.
But now I'm just feeling like,wow, there's just so much.
I think it's the joy of theLord, and through the joy of
(34:21):
this new adventure, and alsobeing around for example, one of
the things that we do as cabbiestylists is we go to a fashion
show in January.
So I've already scheduled thisfashion show.
So my goal right now is doingsmall habits every day and then
(34:41):
also small goals.
So my goal is when the nextwardrobe comes out, which is
spring and fall, which is inJanuary, my goal is to go from a
large to a medium.
SPEAKER_02 (34:52):
Wow.
Oh my gosh, how incredible!Yeah, I mean it almost it goes
back to what you said about whenthe Lord brought you back to
your hometown.
What what was that word he gaveyou again?
SPEAKER_00 (35:05):
Uh big things come from small places.
SPEAKER_02 (35:07):
And it's these small steps every day that are gonna
make a big impact, right?
Yeah, that's good.
In so many like realms of whatyou're walking into.
I love this.
Like you are really gettingafter so many different things
to help just beautify.
It's it's that beauty fromashes, right?
SPEAKER_00 (35:28):
Yeah, that's actually our tagline for Rect
and Refined.
SPEAKER_02 (35:31):
Oh, it is?
Oh well.
Well, that's that's exciting.
Oh my goodness.
Well, tell us like how canpeople get in touch with you?
Um, especially your yourproperties.
Are they um like are you bookedout for a long time?
Um, what does that look like forpeople to rent if they wanted to
(35:52):
come visit your area?
SPEAKER_00 (35:54):
Rectrefined.com.
So w-r-e-c-d, r-e-f I-n-ed dotcom.
And it's also underrektandrefined.com.
SPEAKER_02 (36:08):
Okay, and you can find all of these um beautifying
areas on your website.
SPEAKER_00 (36:14):
Yes.
And there's a couple differenttabs.
There's our rentals where theycan book with us.
We I also have a blog, and I'mtrying to figure out.
I've had a few professionalstell me you should only blog
about one thing, but then as youcan see, there's so much going
on.
I just have come to the pointwhere I'm gonna blog about what
(36:38):
I'm passionate about and what Ilove.
And we'll just see where Godtakes it.
SPEAKER_02 (36:43):
Amen.
Like I always say, if somebodytells you you shouldn't be doing
something, I like to say don'tdon't should on me.
My husband or don't shouldn't onme or should on me.
No, I want to say that reallyclear.
Should S H O U L D, not not theother word.
SPEAKER_00 (37:02):
Yeah, yeah, yes.
My my husband found this sayingin it in my office, and it says,
underestimate me.
That will be fun.
SPEAKER_02 (37:14):
Right?
SPEAKER_01 (37:16):
It's very inspiring.
SPEAKER_02 (37:18):
That that's that says it all for you.
I'm that's that's your billboardfor sure.
I love it.
Well, um, you have an enjoy.
I would love to have you back onum when your book comes out.
When will that be coming out?
SPEAKER_00 (37:31):
Oh, uh, I guess I would probably need a coach or
accountability to help me get umto finish, to start and finish.
SPEAKER_02 (37:40):
Amen.
Well, um, I know some people,and I even have a really fiery
publisher that I can tell youmore about on on the on the flip
side.
So um as we close today, I wouldlove for you to just think of
the one that's listening in toour talking, right?
They're they're hearing whatwe've been talking about today.
(38:01):
If you could just get in mindthis person who's listening, is
there anything else that you'dwant to speak over them?
Any words of encouragement orwisdom?
And then would you pray us outtoday?
Oh, absolutely.
SPEAKER_00 (38:14):
I'd say to the one that's listening is everything
for me all comes back to theword of God.
It's his breath and his word andultimate wisdom.
And whether it's being thatyou're suffering in your
marriage or you're sufferingwith finances, your health.
Uh I started in Proverbs, uh,very easy chapters to read um
(38:39):
each day of the month.
And then uh when your soul justneeds healing, I would say go to
run to Psalms.
But there's so much everything,all good things come from the
word of God.
Yeah, amen.
And to pray without, I just,Lord, I just exalt you.
I thank you, Father, for who youare.
(38:59):
I thank you for your creation,and I thank you for what you're
doing, even though sometimes itlooks bleak, or oftentimes,
especially in these days,there's so much darkness and
wickedness.
Lord, I just pray and thank you,knowing that everything is in
your hands.
You are fully aware of it all.
And I just ask, Father, thateach and every individual who
(39:23):
across the globe who knows youor even doesn't know you, that
they will come to know yoursaving grace.
And Lord, that you will give usthe ability to speak loudly and
boldly so we can spread the newsas uh according to the gospel.
And I pray, Father, forblessings for all these
listeners who listen in.
(39:44):
And I just pray, Father, thatyou will move in their life in a
mighty, mighty way.
I pray for supernatural healingand that you will be that balm
of wherever they may be hurting.
There's been many situations andtrials in my life where uh
giving up was close anddisappointment and just there's
(40:05):
no longer wanting to liveanymore.
And Lord, you were there with mein those moments.
And I pray that you will be withall these listeners and that you
will greatly bless them.
And I can't wait to hear theirstory in your precious and
mighty name.
Amen.
SPEAKER_02 (40:20):
Amen.
Well, Christian, thank you somuch for being a brave voice
who's setting so many free.
I'll be sure to link all of hercontact information in the show
notes.
So be sure to check out herwebsite and get in touch with
her if you have any questions.
Um, and I'm going to close withthe Hope Unlocked anchoring
verse, which is May the God ofhope fill you with all joy and
peace and believing, so that bythe power of the Holy Spirit you
(40:43):
may abound in hope.
And that's Romans 15, 13.
So I will be back with anotherepisode next week.
Thanks, listeners.
And thank you again, Christian.
Thank you, Christian.
Welcome to the Hope Unlock Podcast.
I'm your host, Kristen Kurtz,and I'm also the founder of New
Wings Coaching.
I help and empower wild-heartedand adventurous women of faith
feeling caged and stuck, unlocktheir true purpose and
potential, break free fromlimitations, and thrive with
confidence, courage, and hope.
If you're curious to learn moreabout coaching with me, head to
NewWinksCoaching.net and be sureto explore the show notes for
(00:38):
ways to connect with me further.
Get ready to dive in as weuncover empowering keys and
insights in this episode.
So tune in and let's unlock hopetogether.
Welcome to the Hope Unlockedpodcast.
I'm Kristen Kurtz, your host.
I pray this episode is like aholy IV of hope for your soul.
Please help me welcome ChristianStone to the show.
I'm so excited to have her heretoday.
(01:00):
We had a chance to actually talkfor quite some time before we
got started.
Um, and I I just love thesekindred connections that the
Lord puts together.
So before we get into um yourstory, would you be able to tell
us a little bit about yourself?
SPEAKER_00 (01:14):
Yes, thank you, Kristen, for having me on.
I am an entrepreneur.
I have a few differentbusinesses that I'm running, and
my husband now is running themalongside me.
And we are uh parents of sixchildren, and we have a few
adopted children that we love.
SPEAKER_02 (01:37):
Um and we they keep us busy, and same with the
businesses.
Wow.
So six kids, how manybusinesses?
SPEAKER_00 (01:49):
Uh right now, we basically have an umbrella
company, which is reped andrefined.
Okay.
And we started with remodelinghomes, flipping homes, and I
became a designer.
Did not know that was somethingthat I had a gifting for.
And we I God gave me a dreamquite a few years ago.
(02:12):
My husband was not excited aboutit at all.
We turned one of our homes intoa short-term rental.
Okay.
And we had been in long-termrental experience before, but we
did that.
I thought it would be a greatidea after the dream, and we
turned our primary residenceinto a short-term rental and
(02:34):
moved into a flip property withtwo residents and remodeled that
while we were living in it atthe time with four kids.
Oh my gosh.
So my husband became acontractor over the 20 years of
um our relationship history.
As with 2007, we were married.
Within a few months, we startedflipping homes.
(02:56):
Oh wow.
And then now we're in theshort-term rental business.
We have seven luxury rentalsthat we're running in our small
city of 60,000 in Montana.
And they're uh I never wouldhave thought it would turn into
(03:18):
something as it is, but here weare.
And we are cleaning as well.
So I would say we have part ofthat umbrella is cleaning and
maintenance, construction,remodel, and then the design
portion.
And we are in long-term,mid-term, and short-term
rentals.
(03:39):
And I also needed to get intothe real estate industry.
So I was aware of market pricesand finding properties.
And so back in, I believe, 2015,I became a realtor.
And I sometimes work with buyersand sellers not that often.
And I do enjoy selling andlisting properties, start to
(04:03):
finish, take the pressure off ofsellers, get it in to I will
stage them and design them ifneed be, and then put them on
market and do marketing.
SPEAKER_02 (04:12):
Wow.
So you I love this, I love thename of your business, Wrecked
and Refined.
SPEAKER_00 (04:18):
Yeah.
Yes, God gave me that name.
I have been prophesied over afew times, different events,
different people that I wouldwrite a book.
And I was really struggling aswhat I would be writing.
I don't have a great backgroundin English or writing, creating
an essay was like pulling teeth.
(04:41):
And so when I heard that, Iwould be like the Moses to
speak.
This is the impossible.
And what I ended up um justasking the Lord on a drive one
day, Lord, if you want me towrite this book, I just can you
at least give me the name of thetitle of the book?
(05:03):
And the name was he just he sayswrecked and refined.
And I thought, oh my gosh, Icouldn't even make this up
because it's exactly what mycompany was at the time.
We buy homes, completely putthem in disarray, wreck them,
and then start over, uh,essentially, and then we refine
(05:24):
them.
And what does God do in ourlife?
We we're a wreck, and then herefines us once we give our life
to him.
So I thought not just inbusiness, it fits perfectly, but
then in the relationship withthe Lord is what we're living.
And what my business before wasgolden rule real estate when we
(05:46):
first started, we were firstmarried.
And we chose, and I chose thatbecause you know, do unto others
as you'd like done unto you.
But then uh when God gave me theword wrecked and refined for the
book, I decided to rebrand.
And so I rebranded and built awebsite and all under wrecked
(06:07):
and refined.
SPEAKER_02 (06:08):
That's beautiful.
Oh my gosh.
I want to I want to go back fora second because I feel like
even about the book, and we weretalking a little bit about you
know our voices and Moses andyou know what I mean, like this
this thing that comes for manyof us of like I'm not eloquent
of speech, because it's it'ssomething that came for me too.
And I'm I'm probably still noteloquent of speech, and that's
(06:29):
okay because I've just learnedthat I don't know, he can use
anybody, right?
But when it comes to the writingaspect, um, you know, you
mentioned, you know, maybe notbeing the best with essays, and
I just had this like, I don'tknow if it's revelation,
epiphany or what have you, butum, I don't know about you, but
back in school, I didn'tnecessarily like the subjects
(06:49):
that they were talking about.
It it seemed pointless to me alot of the time.
And I'm just being real.
So a lot of the essays that we'dbe tasked to write would
probably be about something thatwe weren't even interested in.
Right.
So now you get an opportunity,and I'm speaking to others maybe
that maybe had that experienceas well.
You're gonna have an opportunityto like Holy Ghost write
(07:14):
whatever it is that you want towrite about without there being
restrictions being graded.
You know what I mean?
I just had to share that.
SPEAKER_00 (07:23):
Yeah, that's really good.
Yeah.
And I think that that's why my Iwe've been successful in
business is well, for one, uhfollowing Proverbs and just
honoring the Lord's word in thechoices that we make.
SPEAKER_01 (07:38):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (07:38):
Heart being hardworking as well.
And then on top of it, whatyou're interested in, they say
if you're gonna do it for freeor it's something you love doing
and you won't even want to go tosleep at night.
You get into that kind ofbusiness, then you you normally
(07:58):
will be successful becauseyou're very passionate about it,
same thing.
But you're writing aboutsomething interesting, same as
reading a book as well.
Yeah, you're gonna finish it ifit's interesting.
SPEAKER_02 (08:09):
Right.
It's like, well, we'll just keepthis one on the bookshelf.
Yeah.
Isn't that cool?
Um so I encourage you in thatfor sure.
I love your book, like how it'sjust this umbrella over
everything.
Um, I I caught that you said youyou didn't really know that you
had designing in you.
Um, what did that look like foryou to step into that?
(08:31):
Like, what was the Lord showingyou in that realm?
SPEAKER_00 (09:11):
Uh well, I feel like there is so many women that want
to design.
And I guess I just never thoughtI had that gifting.
And I had signed up for acollege course and I never
completed the course.
But I did love it.
(09:32):
I just didn't think I would everbe a designer or call myself
designer.
But when you have something thatyou're remodeling and it's your
livelihood, you get to be reallygood at knowing what you're
doing so that you'll besuccessful in the sale or
renting.
And I actually, now that I know,it probably brings me the great
(09:53):
as fire.
Which, for example, if I go intoa home and it's something that I
really love, and I know thatthere's so much good bones to a
home, walls may need to be movedor knocked down, or maybe the
kitchen's in the wrong spotspot, or rooms are so tight, the
whole house feels combined, andwe have to open up the entire
(10:14):
home and start over, but keepthe walls.
I get so excited about the yes,and I can spend hours shopping
for light fixtures, which isinsane.
Wow, and um, and I do.
I will for fixtures and lightlighting in a home, I can spend
hours and hours and hoursshopping, and I go to the depths
(10:38):
of the internet looking for theright chandelier, but uh I enjoy
it, so I really don't think thatit's work.
And as I started doing that,each home for how I start to
design is it's almost like Godgives me some intuition of this
this design would be reallyawesome.
(10:59):
For example, we did a luxuryhome.
Uh, we call it from a family,the big barn.
And it's one of the most lovedproperties in our area.
And that one I had aribestlantern, which I didn't even
know what that was at the time.
I just knew I liked the style.
And I implemented thatthroughout the entire home in
different little quiet, it was aquiet design.
(11:24):
And then there were some boldareas like in a shower, the
walls with this air bestlantern, the backsplash in the
kitchen that went from counterto ceiling.
And then there's built-in custombenches that the design is in
the face of the wood of thebench, but just real subtle,
(11:44):
like someone could stay in thehouse and not even notice it.
But if they really start to seethose details, they're there.
And that's I I feel like thatwas divinely given by God for
creativity.
Yes.
And even to the point of we didflower boxes, which flower boxes
I don't feel like is popular andhasn't been popular the entire
(12:06):
15, 20 years of designing.
But for me, it just wassomething special, same with the
benches and homes.
And I even had custom arabesquelantern welding done to put on
these flower boxes.
So I'm using metals and wood andtile to integrate this beautiful
(12:32):
design.
And I just give all glory to Godbecause I don't know where it
came from, other than he justdoesn't give me these ideas.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (12:40):
I love that so much.
Like I'm just hearing likeprophetic properties.
Oh, thank you.
Yeah, that's awesome.
Yeah, because you're, I mean, alot of this I do, let's just
say, for example, a lot ofpeople wouldn't know this, but
like when I do like graphics,there's a lot of elements that
people would have no idea thatthere's like this intentional
meaning behind the things that Ido.
(13:01):
And you get to infuse that intothese properties.
I'm sure, like, have you heardanybody like pick up on any of
these things?
Like, have they noticed it thatyou've heard of before?
When I design them, like if you,you know, these like things that
you're like, yep, there'sintentionality here, and maybe
somebody wouldn't see it.
Have you has anybody actuallyseen it before?
SPEAKER_00 (13:21):
They picked up very rare.
And oftentimes when people comein to stay at this is a
short-term rental.
Oftentimes, people I don'tinteract with them, they check
in, check out, and they mayleave.
And we're a five-star company inGreat Falls, so there's no
complaints.
There is a lot of compliments onwe love the design, everything
(13:46):
was beyond our expectations,better than the photos that were
pictured, and so a lot ofcompliments of that, but it not
no no one really says, I noticedthis, but I think if I was to do
a tour and pointed those thingsout, I think it would be an awe
moment for some people.
SPEAKER_02 (14:04):
I love that.
Oh my gosh.
So you're in Montana, and yousaid you have seven properties
in the same like town that youlive in.
SPEAKER_00 (14:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (14:15):
Okay.
And how long ago have you didyou start doing this?
Like several charters,properties?
SPEAKER_00 (14:22):
Um, gosh, we were the only ones doing it, and I
kept it very quiet.
You would only know we weredoing it because of someone who
might be on the websites lookingto book.
And so a lot of people withinGreat Falls, even family
members, didn't know that wewere doing it.
Um, and I want to say that was2015.
(14:48):
I think it was 2015.
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (14:50):
Now, did you like kind of keep it undercover?
I guess I'll use the wordundercover for a reason.
SPEAKER_00 (14:56):
Oh, for sure.
I feel when you're starting abusiness, there can be so much
negativity from a lot of people.
It no matter anything new orpart of your dreams, I feel like
you keep that between you andthe Lord and just move forward.
And you'll know when to announceit.
And another thing for thatreason is a lot of people, for
(15:20):
example, I'll see a mattressstore go up and I know, okay,
now five other people are gonnago and copy this idea.
Sure.
Yeah.
So I really I didn't, I you haveenough to struggle with in
starting business.
I don't want to have to strugglewith competition as well.
Yeah.
And so that's why I kept itquiet for that reason, but I've
(15:41):
always done that in business.
I, for example, I just had anopportunity come up a couple
weeks ago, which are wrecked andrefined.
I'm labeling it as a lifestylebrand because I believe it could
potentially become home productswhere I'm already I'm already
(16:03):
implementing home products likesoaps, candles, conditioner, and
body wash and shampoo within ourshort-term rentals.
I love that.
So gently and subtly rebrand ornot rebranding, but bringing in
expanding.
From rebranding to expanding.
Yeah, there, thank you.
(16:24):
Perfect.
But yeah, so doing it gently,and then I'm hoping to do more
on a mass level this year whereI can create 200 gift baskets
with those products just topeople in our community, family
members, Christmas gifts,homemade products, but from rec
(16:44):
and refines, and then givingthose as gifts, kind of up to
see how long it's gonna take usto build these, build these
baskets, and also how it goesover with people who receive
them.
SPEAKER_02 (16:58):
Wow.
And when will those be are thoseavailable just locally for you
or are they like shippable?
SPEAKER_00 (17:05):
Uh I haven't even looked into shipping.
So for me, where I was gonnastart is to start making the
baskets and putting it out thereon social media as we're giving
this basket away free.
Um kind of to get a get a feelof what interest it is and it
how how good of idea is it?
(17:26):
And go from there.
Yeah, well, if it's a god idea,God's idea, I say it's a good
idea.
Yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_02 (17:33):
For sure.
Um, now are you making theproducts too?
Yes, yeah.
Okay, you were like the Proverbs31 woman.
SPEAKER_00 (17:42):
Hey, that's funny because I was thinking about how
would I properly prepare for mymy podcast today with Kristen
Kurtz.
And it was really to balance outProverbs 31 Woman.
SPEAKER_02 (17:55):
Okay, well, tell us a little bit more about that
then.
SPEAKER_00 (17:59):
Um in the beginning of my marriage, I well, I'll
start in the beginning of mychildhood real quick.
I grew up uh up until age threein an alcoholic home.
And one of my parents became aum recovering alcoholic, quit
drinking for many years, andabout 13, one of my parents left
(18:23):
and I became one of the uh well,the caretaker of the home and
cooking and cleaning.
And so I had to grow up prettyfast.
Yeah.
And as the oldest of three, itwas not something I really
thought about as being uhdifficult.
You just did what you needed todo to make things work.
(18:45):
And I met my husband at a youngage in high school, and it
wasn't the greatestrelationship, but it was he was
a Christian, I was a Christian.
I lived more in a Christ-likehome in those really wonderful
years that my parents weregetting along.
And uh my husband did not, hehad a very toxic home life, even
(19:08):
though uh one of his parents wasa Christian, and he even went to
Christian school, privateschool.
So he knew a lot about theBible, but not a lot about
implementing it.
So when I when we got married in2007, uh we were in Arizona at
that time, and I was taking realestate investment classes with
my stepdad.
(19:30):
And my husband wanted to comeback to Montana, and he had to
bribe me back to Montana with aburrito, actually, because I
didn't burrito.
That's all it takes, is aburrito.
That's what it was for me.
Chipotle burrito.
So, anyways, that we got backhome, and as we were coming down
the hill into our home area, theI'm thinking, dreading that I
(19:56):
kept coming back to this place.
And the Lord says to me, bigthings come from small places.
And I thought, okay, Lord, okay.
So that's when I started ourfirst flip.
And my husband, after I think itwas like one day or two days on
the project, he was very upset,and this is we cannot do this.
(20:20):
So, fast forward to where I havethree kids in tow, that's when
we do our short-term rental.
And um, as being a mother withthree kids, a husband that was
working on the road, not homevery often.
When he was home, he wascatching up on sleep.
I really, it was verysacrificial.
(20:44):
Yeah, and I gave up a lot.
My husband had not given upmuch.
Uh, he was providing a greatprovider, but also part of the
toxic trait that he brought intoour home is his parents divorced
because of bankruptcy.
And so he brought on this fearof not enough money, uh, we
(21:04):
could lose everything.
And actually, we had separatebank accounts.
And then that's when I starteduh as an entrepreneur building
business, multiple businesses,and one of them uh was uh
daycare, and I had my childrenat home and a big part of my day
to start was in Proverbs.
(21:27):
I had heard someone in businessthat said the best thing you can
do is read a chapter of Proverbsa day to go along with the day
of the month because there's 31chapters, and so when I come to
the Proverbs 31 woman, I decidedto really dig deep into that and
figure out how I can be aProverbs 31 woman and honor the
(21:48):
Lord, be a wonderful wife for myhusband.
There was an experience earlieron in our marriage where we only
have one child, and he wastalking to our neighbor who had
it all together in her home andvery organized and systematic,
and I did not have that.
And he had said, I overheard himsay, Yeah, Christian's not much
(22:09):
of a homemaker, and that reallyhurt me.
And he I he would feel terribleknowing that, but that was
really my motivator to justbecome an excellent steward of
the home in Proverbs 31 Woman.
She had it all together, and Iknew I wanted to have a
(22:29):
business.
So, what I loved about her isthat she created her own
vineyards and sold land andbought land, and I was already
doing that in real estate.
So I just really connected withher and studied that, bought a
few books.
There really wasn't a lot ofbooks.
I don't even know if now there'sa lot about the Proverbs 31
woman, but studied the one I didfind.
(22:55):
Which one was that?
Um, I think it's by DonnaParteau.
And I have to say it was it wasgood, but I feel there there's a
that's a niche area that couldreally be developed.
SPEAKER_02 (23:12):
Yeah, maybe somebody named Christian could write a
book about it.
Oh my word, yeah.
Do you know anybody with thatname?
SPEAKER_00 (23:24):
I do actually.
Just saying.
SPEAKER_02 (23:29):
Okay.
Carry on.
SPEAKER_00 (23:31):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (23:32):
I'm writing a note on here.
SPEAKER_00 (23:34):
I'll pray into that, President.
SPEAKER_02 (23:38):
Yeah, so you're just getting wrecked by and refined
by the Proverbs 31 woman who's ahomemaker and steward of the
home.
And what are you doing now?
SPEAKER_00 (23:51):
So what just came over me, I can't, I wish I'm
sorry, I should have been moreprepared on having the verse
out.
But she's a virtuous woman, butshe also, you know, makes her
own clothes.
And yeah, I see her as dressedreally well.
Well, this is what's reallyfunny is um just recently um we
(24:11):
I feel like there's so much Icould share, and I'm gonna I'm
gonna summarize some quickthings and you can follow up if
you want me to expand on it.
But my husband and I felt thecalling of the Lord to
homeschool our boys.
We have four at home right now,one in college.
And then we um decided to starta Kingdom Legacy Academy.
(24:34):
And it really what it is is ahomeschool co-op.
So the struggle was is we hadone son who struggles with ADHD,
and but he's very intelligent,musically gifted, and he started
homeschooling, but we wererealizing there was almost a
sort of depression because oflack of interaction with having
(24:56):
community.
And so we knew having all of ourboys at home would build some of
that community, but we needed tobranch out, support other
families, and then also haverelationships for our kids.
So we just decided to do KingdomLegacy Academy.
And what that is, is it's ahomeschool co-op where we're
currently utilizing our home.
(25:18):
We're waiting on insurance.
There's a church in town that'soffered up their building
graciously, uh complete gift.
And God is totally God on this.
It's nothing like my kids say,who would ever thought mom would
be running an academy?
And I'm like, oh, I've seen Goddo some crazy things.
SPEAKER_02 (25:38):
So well, like going from like she's not a homemaker
to right, yeah, for exactly.
Totally flipped the script here,yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (25:47):
And so one of the things I'm realizing is what
we've really just been playingit uh one situation at a time.
And one of there's a kid in ourlife who um had a severe head
injury, and his parents bothwork and are not equipped to be
able to homeschool him, but theyknew that this we use L U O A as
(26:11):
our curriculum curriculum, whichis Liberty University's online
academy K through 12.
Really amazing program.
I love how structured it is, andit's the basis is teaching off
of the Bible and very rigorous,actually.
But my um, so so our family, ourfriend, friends of the family,
(26:33):
their son wanted to do it withour boys, and we really wanted
to have him as a part of thisprogram, and so he actually is
one of our like our child whilehe's here doing his studies, and
they needed someone to be ableto facilitate for him.
And so he's just become part ofour village, our family.
(26:54):
And then we had other familiesthat wanted to be a part of it
as well, and that was divinelydone even before we had
announced we were doing thisacademy.
These families were startingwith LUA.
They'd heard about it from oursons through their private
school, had signed them up, andthen we had put this
announcement out there that wewere doing this, and they
(27:15):
contacted me, not even knowingthem, and saying, Hey, we've
already registered, but we wantto be a part of this academy.
So it completely God, and we'reso thankful for it.
Our boys are being taught a lotof life skills, agriculture, um,
and all of our students, andthat was a big thing for us.
But to go back to where theProverbs 31 woman comes in is
(27:40):
recently one of the things wewere doing with our academy is
showing entrepreneurship in thatthere was this woman who is
moving, she had a boutique inher home, and she's a cabbie
stylist, and we went and tookall the kids to experience what
she has in her home, what she'sdoing to be successful, and then
asking her her questions, prosand cons of what she does.
(28:02):
The girls loved it, the boys, ofcourse, wasn't their thing.
Sure.
But when I had talked to herafter the kids had left, uh, she
had mentioned I should become acabbie stylist.
I'm like, I have way too much todo.
Are you kidding me?
And she goes, I would I'm movingout of state, and I have clients
(28:22):
that would love to come to youand you can have my business
that I've built.
And I thought, when does thathappen?
But I just have it, just takeit.
Yeah.
And I thought, no, I I don'tknow about this.
So she started explaining to me,well, you get a fall and winter
wardrobe, and then for the nextseason, you get spring and
(28:44):
summer, and there's in-betweensholiday season, etc.
etc.
I was a little overwhelmed, butbut I love the clothes.
And what we struggle with in ourarea is we do not have great
places to shop.
And I don't have the timeeither, nor do I really feel
like I'm great with um what I'mwearing for my outfits.
(29:09):
And not because not because I'mnot trying, it's because I
really haven't reallyimplemented that in my life.
And let me go back a few years,um, that this is unrelatable in
such a way of it's my greatesttrial.
We lost our daughter in 2017.
(29:31):
And she was my firstborn.
Thank you very much.
And her name is Isabella Faith,and I know that she's in heaven
waiting for us when we arriveand we cross over the promised
land.
But until then, I'm gonna do mydarnest to um take back what the
enemy tried to steal, kill, anddestroy in my life.
And one of those things that hetook for me is my daughter and I
(29:55):
had a love for fashion.
We had um a love for hair andall these things early.
And I when I lost my daughter, Igave up all of that.
And I have now five boys and myhusband, and there is no sense
of fashion in this house unlessit's forced.
(30:16):
Sure.
I get it.
SPEAKER_02 (30:20):
I'm a house of men too.
SPEAKER_00 (30:24):
Oh, um, but what I realized when she was telling me
about being in a stylistposition, I started thinking,
well, what if I was just astarter.
With the first wardrobe becauseI would have I wouldn't have to
go shop for it, save me on time.
And then it's um a great pricebecause you're getting at a
(30:47):
stylish price and not payingfull price.
And so I ended up doing it andshe invited me at a couple of
her fashion shows and fashionparties.
And I have to tell you, Kristen,I was I've been a tomboy for
most of my life.
I love construction.
I can talk race cars with men.
But when it comes to beingaround with women, I really
(31:10):
struggle.
And I went to these parties,these women were having so much
fun.
They were supporting each other,encouraging each other.
I'll tell you what, I know thismight be really not the thing to
say, but there was moreencouragement in life in this
non-Christian environment thanI've seen in any other area with
(31:33):
women.
Um, and they said you're cominginto a season of joy and of
healing.
And the other thing is after Ilost my daughter, is I gave up
on my health.
(31:53):
I didn't care that I was gainingweight, and food is my comfort
or has been my comfort.
And so I have been trying forprobably about four years to
lose 60 to 70 pounds.
And a huge reason of why Iwasn't fashionable either in
some ways, because I was just sodefeated on how much my body had
(32:16):
changed.
SPEAKER_02 (32:17):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (32:17):
And so this I started about a month ago as the
stylist, and I'm wearing theseclothes, loving them, and then
also it has got me into the mosthighly disciplined lifestyle in
eating healthy, working outdaily, inspired to not just look
(32:44):
cute in my attire, but feelgreat.
And how can I couldn't even makethis up of how divinely God is
orchestrating this?
And what I'm realizing is usbeing a lifestyle brand, well,
through my cabbie onlinewebsite, which I received as a
(33:05):
stylist, is now part of my rectand refined brand as I see it.
So love it.
I I go out in public and tochurch, and women are saying, Oh
my gosh, I love your browncorduroy jeans.
Where'd you get those?
I'm like, actually, I'm acabbie.
SPEAKER_02 (33:23):
Oh my gosh.
Yeah, you you're like ahomemaker, homeschooler, like
body stylist.
There's like a designer, likebeyond designing, like you get
to help people like with theirhome design, but then the
outside of their you know bodydesign as well.
(33:45):
Right.
And you're in the middle, you'rein the middle of it.
Like you're in this rere-identifying process, which is
beautiful, and you get to tellpeople about this starting here.
I mean, you said a month ago youjust started doing this.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (34:00):
And I've already lost four pounds.
I lost four inches in the firstweek just by detoxing.
And I have about eight to tenmonths to go.
Yeah, and before I would justdread, oh, that's so long.
How defeating.
But now I'm just feeling like,wow, there's just so much.
I think it's the joy of theLord, and through the joy of
(34:21):
this new adventure, and alsobeing around for example, one of
the things that we do as cabbiestylists is we go to a fashion
show in January.
So I've already scheduled thisfashion show.
So my goal right now is doingsmall habits every day and then
(34:41):
also small goals.
So my goal is when the nextwardrobe comes out, which is
spring and fall, which is inJanuary, my goal is to go from a
large to a medium.
SPEAKER_02 (34:52):
Wow.
Oh my gosh, how incredible!Yeah, I mean it almost it goes
back to what you said about whenthe Lord brought you back to
your hometown.
What what was that word he gaveyou again?
SPEAKER_00 (35:05):
Uh big things come from small places.
SPEAKER_02 (35:07):
And it's these small steps every day that are gonna
make a big impact, right?
Yeah, that's good.
In so many like realms of whatyou're walking into.
I love this.
Like you are really gettingafter so many different things
to help just beautify.
It's it's that beauty fromashes, right?
SPEAKER_00 (35:28):
Yeah, that's actually our tagline for Rect
and Refined.
SPEAKER_02 (35:31):
Oh, it is?
Oh well.
Well, that's that's exciting.
Oh my goodness.
Well, tell us like how canpeople get in touch with you?
Um, especially your yourproperties.
Are they um like are you bookedout for a long time?
Um, what does that look like forpeople to rent if they wanted to
(35:52):
come visit your area?
SPEAKER_00 (35:54):
Rectrefined.com.
So w-r-e-c-d, r-e-f I-n-ed dotcom.
And it's also underrektandrefined.com.
SPEAKER_02 (36:08):
Okay, and you can find all of these um beautifying
areas on your website.
SPEAKER_00 (36:14):
Yes.
And there's a couple differenttabs.
There's our rentals where theycan book with us.
We I also have a blog, and I'mtrying to figure out.
I've had a few professionalstell me you should only blog
about one thing, but then as youcan see, there's so much going
on.
I just have come to the pointwhere I'm gonna blog about what
(36:38):
I'm passionate about and what Ilove.
And we'll just see where Godtakes it.
SPEAKER_02 (36:43):
Amen.
Like I always say, if somebodytells you you shouldn't be doing
something, I like to say don'tdon't should on me.
My husband or don't shouldn't onme or should on me.
No, I want to say that reallyclear.
Should S H O U L D, not not theother word.
SPEAKER_00 (37:02):
Yeah, yeah, yes.
My my husband found this sayingin it in my office, and it says,
underestimate me.
That will be fun.
SPEAKER_02 (37:14):
Right?
SPEAKER_01 (37:16):
It's very inspiring.
SPEAKER_02 (37:18):
That that's that says it all for you.
I'm that's that's your billboardfor sure.
I love it.
Well, um, you have an enjoy.
I would love to have you back onum when your book comes out.
When will that be coming out?
SPEAKER_00 (37:31):
Oh, uh, I guess I would probably need a coach or
accountability to help me get umto finish, to start and finish.
SPEAKER_02 (37:40):
Amen.
Well, um, I know some people,and I even have a really fiery
publisher that I can tell youmore about on on the on the flip
side.
So um as we close today, I wouldlove for you to just think of
the one that's listening in toour talking, right?
They're they're hearing whatwe've been talking about today.
(38:01):
If you could just get in mindthis person who's listening, is
there anything else that you'dwant to speak over them?
Any words of encouragement orwisdom?
And then would you pray us outtoday?
Oh, absolutely.
SPEAKER_00 (38:14):
I'd say to the one that's listening is everything
for me all comes back to theword of God.
It's his breath and his word andultimate wisdom.
And whether it's being thatyou're suffering in your
marriage or you're sufferingwith finances, your health.
Uh I started in Proverbs, uh,very easy chapters to read um
(38:39):
each day of the month.
And then uh when your soul justneeds healing, I would say go to
run to Psalms.
But there's so much everything,all good things come from the
word of God.
Yeah, amen.
And to pray without, I just,Lord, I just exalt you.
I thank you, Father, for who youare.
(38:59):
I thank you for your creation,and I thank you for what you're
doing, even though sometimes itlooks bleak, or oftentimes,
especially in these days,there's so much darkness and
wickedness.
Lord, I just pray and thank you,knowing that everything is in
your hands.
You are fully aware of it all.
And I just ask, Father, thateach and every individual who
(39:23):
across the globe who knows youor even doesn't know you, that
they will come to know yoursaving grace.
And Lord, that you will give usthe ability to speak loudly and
boldly so we can spread the newsas uh according to the gospel.
And I pray, Father, forblessings for all these
listeners who listen in.
(39:44):
And I just pray, Father, thatyou will move in their life in a
mighty, mighty way.
I pray for supernatural healingand that you will be that balm
of wherever they may be hurting.
There's been many situations andtrials in my life where uh
giving up was close anddisappointment and just there's
(40:05):
no longer wanting to liveanymore.
And Lord, you were there with mein those moments.
And I pray that you will be withall these listeners and that you
will greatly bless them.
And I can't wait to hear theirstory in your precious and
mighty name.
Amen.
SPEAKER_02 (40:20):
Amen.
Well, Christian, thank you somuch for being a brave voice
who's setting so many free.
I'll be sure to link all of hercontact information in the show
notes.
So be sure to check out herwebsite and get in touch with
her if you have any questions.
Um, and I'm going to close withthe Hope Unlocked anchoring
verse, which is May the God ofhope fill you with all joy and
peace and believing, so that bythe power of the Holy Spirit you
(40:43):
may abound in hope.
And that's Romans 15, 13.
So I will be back with anotherepisode next week.
Thanks, listeners.
And thank you again, Christian.
Thank you, Christian.
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