Reservations & Program Manager

Reservations & Program Manager Mary Beth Best brings many years of experience working with the public, especially in retreat settings, to her work at St. Mary’s Sewanee, which she began in May 2018. Before joining the staff, she attended Centering Prayer groups at St. Mary’s Sewanee, walked its labyrinth, and explored its hiking trails. She said she most enjoys meeting and coming to know the guests, learning why they are visiting St. Mary’s Sewanee. “Many people arrive uncertain or stressed, but they leave with renewed spirits that shows on their countenance. It is a joy to witness this transformation!”

Operations Manager

Kylene joined the St. Mary’s Sewanee team in November 2016 as the Business Manager and is now the Operations Manager. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Tennessee State University. She has worked for nonprofit organizations and churches for many years, specializing in the business aspect of the organizations. She considers creating “First Light” — the daily email meditation — among her favorite things to do for St. Mary’s Sewanee.

Property Manager

Tim has worked at St. Mary’s Sewanee since March 2012 and knows the buildings and grounds better than anyone. Coming from a stressful manufacturing background working long hours, St. Mary’s Sewanee has helped him find a good balance between working hard and taking time to enjoy life, including his young daughter. Using his skills and experience, Tim repairs and maintains a vast array of equipment on campus. His love of nature compels him to improve the appearance of the grounds and to create new hiking opportunities. He says there’s never a dull moment at St. Mary’s Sewanee — from helping board members explore the property to finding parts and repairing antiquated buildings — each day brings something new.

Weekend Coordinator

Since most retreats happen on the weekends, Holly is the face most familiar to our guests. As the Weekend Coordinator, Holly Hodges is here to welcome you as you arrive on Friday and bid you farewell on Sunday. She hosts the weekend events assisting guests in making the most out of every weekend retreat.

Weekend Coordinator

A Tennessee native, Sophie is delighted to be back home after a few years spent in Canada, where she completed the coursework for her PhD in English Literature. When she’s not manning the front desk on weekends at St. Mary's, she is busy working on her dissertation, playing with her three-legged cat and exploring the beautiful Cumberland Plateau with her husband. She loves the warm, welcoming atmosphere of St. Mary’s and is privileged to be part of such a mindful and mutually supportive community.

Housekeeping Staff

To keep the retreat center sparkling takes a tremendous amount of work and is a labor of Love for the SMS Housekeeping Team.

Brandy Meeks is a native to the mountain community and she enjoys spending time with her husband of more than 17 years and their three beautiful children. She finds joy in cooking for her large family, but likes coming to work with a small staff. Her bright spirit and positive energy are brought to the retreat center everyday.

Kitchen Staff

Josh Orange grew up in Tracy City and his family enjoyed traveling. He settled down close to his home town in Monteagle. Josh’s smile and joy for his work is contagious. He has worked in the culinary field for nearly a decade and still loves to learn about new dishes and methods of cooking. Josh has been known to try new recipes and test them out on the staff before the guests arrive. His creative spirit is not just in the kitchen but also on the canvas and in the garden, as he is a painter and gardener as well. Josh enjoys working at SMS the most because of the work family and the “glorious sunsets”.

Kitchen Staff

Derrick Parsons is a mountain native from Grundy County. He is a family man first and foremost with “an awesome wife” and three amazing children. His passion is being a husband and father. When he is not busy taking care of his family, he enjoys working on his dad’s truck that was left to him and is very special to him. Second only to his family is his passion for cooking and caring for the guests at SMS. He is careful, considerate, and hardworking when it comes to meal preparations and all that comes with that. Derrick is not afraid of the heavy lifting! He is also a very talented amateur artist. What he likes most about working at SMS is the view at New Hope Bluff and his coworkers.

Housekeeping Team

“Faith, family, and friends” are what is most important to Sarah, who has been at home here on the mountain most her life. When she is not working hard to make SMS sparkle, you might see her at local venues making beautiful music! She plays acoustic music – rock, pop, country and folk. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her three sons or time alone studying her Bible.

Sarah appreciates her work at SMS because of her co-workers, the flexible schedule and beautiful setting. Most of all, she is grateful that she works in a place that provides faith-based events that focus on the inner person.

SMS Kitchen Team

Angelia is a native of the mountain and has lived in the region her entire life. Born “lucky 13” of 14 children, she was raised by loving, Christian parents, to whom she credits her work ethic and her love for music.

When Angelia is not hard at work in the SMS kitchen, she is spending time with her three children or making music with her family. She enjoys writing poetry and songs, playing piano, singing, and learning to play the guitar.

Angelia enjoys her work here at SMS, especially being surrounded by the beauty of the plateau, which she has always called “home”. She is comforted by the voice of the wind floating and sometimes roaring from the bluff. She is also thankful for her co-workers and for a work environment that is focused on helping others.