Nestled in an out-of-the-way corner of a very busy park, a handsome post and beam shelter stands as an oasis of quiet solitude in the midst of our often overly busy modern lives.

That’s exactly what Christine and Terry Hicks envisioned when they presented the Village of Flat Rock with a gift to fund the construction of The Quiet Place in The Park at Flat Rock.

The Quiet Place sits below the protective canopy of several tall trees and is adjacent to the slowly meandering Dye Creek that runs through the center of The Park. Set back from The Park’s main trails, the location feels secluded despite being just yards away from the hundreds of visitors who frequent the Park on most days.  A small shelter with smooth wooden benches on three sides, it is the perfect place for an intimate conversation or to connect with the natural world that seems to hold the stately pavilion in its verdant hands.

True to its name, The Quiet Place is an oasis of peace and calm - a beautiful wooden structure that draws you in and serves as an open-air chapel for people seeking refuge from the concerns of the world.

Christine and Terry arrived in Flat Rock in 1993 to embark on a second marriage for both and create a new life together. Prior to moving to the Village, Christine resided in New York and Terry lived in Tennessee. When discussing where to live once they married, they agreed on western North Carolina as a place they could both be happy. That decision ultimately led them to Flat Rock.

The couple loved Flat Rock from the start. The transition from New York to Flat Rock was a remarkably easy one for Christine  “I thought, ‘Why didn't I know about this before? This is wonderful. I love this!,’” says Christine. The transition was helped by the fact that both Christine and Terry loved the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and she loved hiking - especially at the Sandburg Home.

Terry jumped right into the life of the Village. He soon was drafted to serve as Mayor and Councilman during the Village of Flat Rock's formative years. “Terry was shocked to become Mayor,” Christine recalls.  “This was not something he aspired to, but he stepped right up and did a great job.” 

Later, Terry became deeply involved in the development of the Park at Flat Rock. He was an early and vocal advocate of purchasing the land from the Highland Lake Golf Club and converting the course's 66 acres into a park for all to enjoy.  Those who knew him agree that when he had an idea or recommendation, he was a hard man to whom to say “no.”  “He was very quiet spoken but he was still very persuasive,” says Christine. “He knew it would be great.”

The Hicks’s commitment to the project went beyond advocacy and they offered to fund the construction of The Quiet Place. Christine and Terry shared a vision of creating a place where people could step away from the pressures of everyday life. “We wanted a place where people could sit and contemplate and be quiet,” says Christine.

As The Park began to blossom and construction of the Quiet Place neared completion, Terry’s health began to fail. Suffering from congestive heart failure, Terry could not walk a great deal, but he lived long enough to spend time in The Quiet Place with his life partner and fellow visionary, Christine. The Quiet Place was officially dedicated in April of 2017 and Terry died the following November.

Steve Jamerson, who served as Construction Manager for The Park, says that the couple's vision has been realized. “It’s in a quieter part of The Park. It’s the perfect place to think and reflect. It functions just the way they hoped it would.”

After Terry’s passing, Christine would visit The Quiet Place on occasion to remember and celebrate the 24 years they shared in Flat Rock. “I carry him with me wherever I go,” she says. “There is certainly a sadness that he isn’t here, but there is a lot of happiness for what we had. We had a good life together. “What does Christine think Terry would say about The Quiet Place today?  “He would smile and say this is just the way he thought it should go.” Steve Jamerson views The Quiet Place as a wonderful tribute to the spirit of a good man.  “Terry was a gentle man as well as a gentleman. He loved Flat Rock and gave so much to the Village.”

Christine recently moved to Virginia to be closer to family but leaves behind many friends with happy memories of the couple who helped create The Quiet Place. Close friend, Ginger Brown, says the couple will be missed. “Chris is beautiful, funny, and smart. Terry loved everyone and he always felt that there was an amicable solution to every problem.  They made a  great couple. Their love for each other was apparent.” 

Today The Quiet Place continues as a beautiful and serene refuge. The placid setting and proximity to nature is the perfect spot to connect with friends, family, or the majesty of all creation. Just as Christine and Terry had hoped.

The Village of Flat Rock will miss the many contributions of Christine and Terry, but their legacy of kindness and commitment to community endures in the place that perfectly encapsulates their life of quiet service and dedication to making the world a little better for their presence.

The dedication above the entrance to The Quiet Place features a quote from Christopher Robbin of the Winne the Pooh series, by A.A. Milne

You are braver than you believe,
You are stronger than you seem,
And smarter than you think.

Perfect words of encouragement from two people who wanted to celebrate and lift up the people in their adopted home.

Although not on the plaque, the next line of Christopher Robin’s quote reads:

But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…
I’ll always be with you.

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Christine and Terry Hicks, they will always be with us - and each other - in The Quiet Place. A fitting tribute to a remarkable couple that demonstrated the power of a life built on love and service to others.