Rain in Florida is different than rain in the State of Washington, thought Carole. Carole and Mark Levi decided to meet in the restaurant next to the condo, only three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean seemed ideal. Carole's business had blossomed in Florida, for some reason. Her embroidery work was taking on a southern tone in both subject matter and color. She was "on a roll." That she was walking to meet someone she had heard about in hushed tones years ago was also exciting on a human level. Mark Levi was the leading architect of neo-Gothic and neo-Baroque churches in the States. He was the designer of numerous "new" churches made for the re-establishment of the Extraordinary Form. He was the darling of conservative colleges and bishops, and recently, he had been asked to design the new museum of the Holocaust, with an projected opening date of 2017, in, of all places, Santa Barbara.
Mark Levi's pedigree demanded that he would be the choice architect for the Museum. His paternal and maternal grandparents disappeared in the Holocaust. His parents flight to the New World allowed Mark to be born in security, wealth, success, but after they died, he converted to Catholicism. He had wanted to for years, but waited. Now, he was accepted because of his success and obvious talent. He was the golden boy of church and museum architecture, but with the new persecutions, his church work had come to a complete halt.
Carole remained mystified at Dr. Levi's seeking her out.
Mark Levi was dark, tall and almost handsome. He had a little boy smile which disturbed some people and amused others. He had no published birthday, but Carole imagined he was about 47, at the peak of his career in his field. Or just past peak. The religious and financial depression in the Church stopped his rapid progress in being one of the most famous architects ever in the States. The other thing which stopped Mark's rise to the top seemed to be a mysterious change in his focus.
Close friends and others in his office noticed that Mark was pre-occupied. But, with what? Was he moving away from architecture? His energies must be funneling into a new area of interest. Rumors in his company centered around the possibility of Mark closing down the entire operation.
Carole had heard some of these rumors through the artsy, intellectual grapevine. Perhaps, this mysterious meeting would reveal Mark Levi's new project, new focus. Originally, he said he would be in the area in June, but he changed his dates for being in Florida, and he would see Carole in April. The day had arrived. Carole began her short walk feeling like a teenager.
To be continued....
