Champaign's Gift to Nashville

I have said, many times in these pages (er…screens), howmuch I love the Rubels. Sasha and Mark Rubel are two of my favorite people inthe whole world. Sasha has been a truly wonderful friend to me and I love herunabashedly. Mark is the soul of kindness and has been incredibly good to us as well.

As soon as I read the news that Mark is leavingChampaign to take a position as co-director of curriculum for Blackbird Studiosin Nashville, my first thought was for Sasha and her girls. Because asincredibly proud of her brother, and as excited about this opportunity as she is, she’salso a little sister. We e-mailed back and forth a bit and Sasha, being Sasha,had the perfect line….

It feels a little like a local monument is relocating, likeour own Statue of Liberty is moving to Jersey. 

God I love her.

A long time ago, somebody referred to Ernie as a CommunityIcon and we’ve had many jokes about that over the years. When you get rightdown to it though….Mark really IS a community icon. And as I’ve also said, hereally knows how to wear a black jacket…and the power of a nice white shirtwith it.

He will be missed but he is dearly loved by many so he goes with untold number of good wishes....

Our very own Statue of Liberty....and off he goes.... Nashville better be good to him....