Once, a tiny acorn fell from a mighty oak tree, landing among the forest floor's leaves and twigs. A squirrel passed by, considered taking it, but scurried away after being distracted by a noise. Days later, a deer's hoof nearly crushed the acorn as it stepped through the underbrush, missing it by mere centimeters. The acorn lay forgotten through autumn rains and winter snow. When spring arrived, warmth and moisture awakened something within the humble seed. A tender shoot emerged from its shell, pushing upward toward sunlight while delicate roots reached into the soil below. Years passed. The sapling endured harsh winters, summer droughts, and the constant threat of being trampled. It grew steadily, drawing nourishment from the earth and energy from the sun. Decades turned to a century. The once-tiny acorn had become a majestic oak, standing tall and strong. Its massive trunk and sprawling branches provided shelter for countless creatures, while each autumn, it released thousands of acorns to the forest floor. One day, a child picked up an acorn beneath the great oak and marveled at how something so small could become something so magnificent—never knowing that within their hand lay another forest, waiting to be born.

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For us, the acorn represents both simplicity and potential. In nature, this small seed contains everything needed to become something remarkable—much like a story idea that first appears as a fleeting thought or image. We were drawn to how acorns develop. They don't transform overnight, but through seasons of sun and rain, warmth and cold. Stories evolve similarly—through cycles of writing and reflection, through challenging feedback and moments of clarity. The nurturing aspect particularly resonates with our approach. Just as an acorn needs the right soil, moisture, and protection to thrive, writers need supportive environments where their ideas can safely take root. Our retreats and experiences create this fertile ground. We admire the resilience in this natural process. Not every acorn becomes an oak. Those that do stand as testaments to persistence. When a mature oak produces its own acorns, it contributes to something larger than itself: a forest of interconnected life. Stories we nurture today inspire countless others tomorrow—a continuous cycle of growth, connection, and community.​