House of Stained Glass

Ron, a certified vocational instructor, who retired after 26 years working as an instructor in the auto collision field to pursue his love - stained glass art. In 1997, he enrolled in classes and soon his love of stained glass art developed into a full time business.

In 2000, Ron and Nancy took early retirement so that Ron could continue developing his stained glass designs and enjoy making stained glass images. Nancy wanted to continue her religious studies. The plan was to travel the country and sell the stained glass images.

After retirement, Ron said that instead of traveling he felt that the business should open in Steamboat Rock, Iowa, the Valley of Friendliness, and people could come to the studio. That year they opened the store and customers came from all over the world to purchase Ron's art work and Nancy's religious items.

On January 26, 2003, the studio burned to the ground; everything was lost. Two beams remained standing and they formed a charred cross. In the rubble, the cross still stood. Ron and Nancy said they would rebuild.

After the fire, it seemed like they would not be able to rebuild. They just couldn't afford it.

After many hours of searching, Ron and Nancy moved a manufactured home on the lot where the old studio had stood. In October 2003, the new studio opened and now they are featuring their stained glass art and gifts items on the internet.