Karen Ahston loves a walk in a beautiful garden.
So when she came across 500 arid acres in Lehi known as the Fox property, she told her husband, WordPerfect founder Alan Ashton, "This is the place for my garden."He laughed and patted her on the back, she said, relating the story of how Thanksgiving Point came to be to those attending Thursday's Women in Leadership luncheon.
"He thought I was talking maybe, 2 or 3 acres. But ideas can take on a life of their own."
Ashton said Thanksgiving Point is turning out wonderfully well but has introduced some fiscal and personal challenges into their lives as well. It's been a major challenge to stay focused on what she and her husband originally wanted to do.
Ashton said Thanksgiving Point is designed to celebrate that kind of beauty and provide a place of rebirth.
"I, for one, need to go outside everyday. I have to have a connection with nature, everyday."
At Thanksgiving Point, there are going to be a set of gardens over 60 acres, she said, with construction expected to begin this spring. Included with the effort to put in the gardens, the Thanksgiving Point Institute has been established.
"We're going forward. We want to try to make it impossible for someone to get out without learning something, just try," she said.