I work for a large aerospace corporation. Every year they recruit promising bright engineers from all over the world. I have watched them come and go for 30 years now. It’s always interesting to see which ones will leave after a year of Seattle’s traffic, housing prices, and weather; and which ones turn into permanent Seattle residents. Nick gave some warning signs early on when he complained about the weather; still I hoped he’d stick around, he has a lot to offer, he’s bright, and did not have the typical engineer personality. Unfortunately, Nick and his lovely wife did decide to leave; their family ties were too strong, they went back home to a place called Yadkinville, if you can believe it. He was gracious enough to allow me to paint his portrait. The background is part of the skyline view from Alki Beach, where they made their home in Seattle.