Pleasantly Ruby

by Ben Behunin

Two weeks into her five month stint at the farm on Harmony Hill, Genevieve Patterson, will be the first to admit she may have overlooked a few important details for the article she was sent here to write. The keys of joy, shared and understood by Pops and Ruby, as well as many of the townsfolk—and the even the neighboring Amish community—are insightful and compelling. Thanks to Matt and Greg, Genevieve’s appreciation for the deeper meaning of these uncommon keys continues to grow, causing her to question the meaning of her previous life in the city. An exploration of these keys and the personal application of them promises joy and liberty, but Genevieve must decide for herself how and if the keys will influence her future. An Amish invitation, a new Niederbipp tradition, Protopian aspirations, and a Sunday homily will all weigh in to tip the scales—but in which direction?

Genres: Fiction, Self Help

358 pages, Unknown Binding

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

It has long been my feeling that biographical sketches should be written in first person because almost all of them are written by the person they're about anyway, pretending to be someone else so as to make themselves look cool or important enough that someone would care to write something about them. I am neither a great pretender, nor good at writing in third person, but I'll do what I can to make you feel like reading this was worthwhile.

I was born at a very early age in Provo, Utah, the first child of seven children that joined the family over the next 14 years. I was raised in primarily in Utah, but also lived in Ohio and Florida. From the time I was very young, I enjoyed making art, drawing, carving, making up games and stories. Through grade school and junior high, I lived in a neighborhood that was nearly exclusively occupied by old people. Having no one to play with beyond my own siblings, I made friends with the old folks and would often sit with them on their porches and listen to their stories as they fed me lemon drops and moon pies.

I was first exposed to pottery in a freshman ceramics class. I took the class thinking it would be an "easy A". In reality, it was neither easy or an A. I was terrible, my experience being much like Jake's in the book. I kept working at it though and earned myself a small scholarship to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho where I continued my studies.

A mission for my church took me to Switzerland, Germany and Austria for two years beginning in 1993. While living in Tiengen, Germany, I met Irene Adeler, a German potter who invited me to return and work for her in her Pottery in 1995. I spent four months as her apprentice before returning home to continue my education in Hawaii. The experience in Germany was instrumental in my education and my decision to become a potter. I continued to study art and business in Hawaii before transferring to the University of Utah.

After making a few semesters worth of landfill art, I changed majors a couple of times and with sixteen credits left to graduate, I decided I would rather die than give any more money or creativity to the school, so I dropped out and have never looked back. Since 1996, I have been a full-time potter. I married Lynnette Scott in 1997. Our son Isaac was born four years later and Eve joined the family three years after that. After borrowing a neighbors studio, and sharing one with a partner, I built a studio in my backyard. This is also where I do most of my writing.

I first visited Niederbipp in 1994 and thought it would be a great name for my first born. Fortunately for my son, he has a very practical mother.

When I'm not making pots or pretending to be a writer, I like to eat strong cheese, listen to bluegrass music and hike in the mountains near my home, not necessarily all at the same time, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. I wear bow ties whenever I have to dress up. We don't have any pets, but sometimes we pretend we do. I often dream I can fly, but that is another story.

Reviews

[Shayne Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read the two books before this, start there. If you have read them already, then you are already dying to read this one! And having finished this one, I am about ready to pound down Ben's door and hold him captive until the next book is finished! (Although his wife would undoubtedly resist that option!) If this isn't enough to get you to start reading this series, I don't know what is. But if you don't know what a Niederbippean is, or who the Matchmaker is, or why this series is a must read, then get started NOW! You won't believe what you've been missing!!

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The editor in me sees the typos and repetitive bits of dialogue and wants to be a pre-printing reader for the author, and this particular volume was philosophy-heavy even in comparison to his other books (3 volumes covering 2 weeks!?) but I ended up appreciating how I was forced to put down the book because my brains was about to burst from the philosophy heavy chapters. I have begun to reflect even more on how I treat my little circle of people and what I do with my time and powers.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

🤮🤮🤮

This book was terrible. Like a bunch of greeting cards or church sermons stapled together and absolutely no plot or anything to make it interesting.

Then suddenly, a dumb plot twist right at the very end that miiiight get me to read (or at least skim) the next book, even though I couldn’t stand this one, just to see if it gets any better now that there’s been one mildly exciting, not-as-preachy scene.

But my advice? Don’t bother with this book.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much “action” but lots of good philosophy, as was expected.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need more plot and less lecture.

[Tebafin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough I started to take notes

[Carla Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all of the Ruby books by Ben Behunin - all 2000 pages of her story! I am a religious person and was raised on the principles Ruby shares with her campers so it was interesting to me to read about how some of the campers had a hard time understanding the value of self-discipline or hope or any of the other keys in the book. I think those principles are essential to a successful marriage and that the world would be a better place if more people would apply them more generously, like the people of Neiderbipp!

[Chels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thoughts for reflection and growth.