Dina Linkenhoker

While the locale of Sarteano is quite beautiful and it’s wonderful to see someone who works so hard achieve their childhood dream, it’s profoundly unsettling to watch Ms. Ray speak so condescendingly to the protagonist. Michael is her primary, go-to person for the project, running point on architecture and design. To be honest, I’d be embarrassed if my children felt comfortable addressing anyone like that. First, I got the sense that more involvement on her part would have precluded most of the things she viewed as issues during the renovation of the Tuscan UNESCO site she purchased. Second, if that’s not possible and something doesn’t work for you (e.g., tall shelving for a petite person), then you’re going to have to exercise a bit more patience and even more courtesy. Che peccato, this could have been such a beautiful enterprise with more kindness and respect.