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When Mark Van Voorhis visited Hope again from Utah in late May 2026, we met at WILLow LeaVes for breakfast with Michael Harding, two outstanding individuals and writers. During that time, Mark made the comment, which Michael has also made, “Hope feels like home!”

Mark, with a friend, Ed Kugler, who served in the Vietnam War, wrote “The Well House”. One main character is from Hope, the other from Chicago, and they meet at Indiana University at the iconic and romantic Rose Well House. Mark's roots started in Indiana while graduating from Anderson High School. From there he graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in History followed by a Master's Degree in Education. He served in the Army as a First Lieutenant in Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a communications officer. Mark's family lived in Ohio, eventually in Columbus, Indiana for six years, and later in Utah. As his daughter, Kristin, stated, “Dad worked hard to provide for our family and faithfully supported each of us in following our dreams.”

All these points are of relevance to the captivating book. Mark traveled to Hope from Utah several years ago and met with a few people in town, including me, about his book and possibly making a movie. I was so inspired by meeting Mark and reading the book, which has much content related to the carnage of the Vietnam War yet conveys peace, hope, and love, that I converted the story to a play and hoped it would be a stepping stone to a movie. The play was performed at WILLow LeaVes in 2018 and then again in 2019 and sold out each time. Mark was there for each occasion, not allowing the long trip to keep him away. The Town of Hope purchased books to give to all veterans present which Mark gladly signed. It was an emotional moment as I observed and also thought about how my Uncle Tom Baker served in the Vietnam War.

Mark continued to dream about a movie and hired two different individuals to write screenplays, one being Hauser graduate and former student, Daniel Anderson of Devon House Creative, Inc. However, it is quite challenging to raise the millions required for such a project. I think a movie would be sold out too, but I could be a bit biased. Then again, all the play's cast members also feel that way as well as all those who attended.

Later that day of his visit, Mark attended our Ponderings Book Study for a short period before needing to travel to Mechanicsburg, Indiana. During that time, he made an impression on all with his good nature. He was pleased to sign posters he had made promoting “The Well House” book. As he was leaving, he said, “David, I look forward to seeing you again on my return to Indiana in August.”

Not long afterward, I got a text from him stating, “David, I failed to communicate with you about my heart surgery. Well, it's over, and I am alright. We will definitely get together in August.”

I was totally surprised by an unexpected call from his daughter, Vanessa, in June. She said, “Dad left this earth due to complications from his heart surgery but asked that I call to express his appreciation for your friendship, the friendships formed in Hope.”

It was devastating news. Yet, I, like all the cast members of “The Well House” play will always be thankful we got to help Mark achieve one of his many dreams, to watch his book come alive in a different way. We will also remember the cast party at our home, how Mark was beaming with joy as he expressed his sincere and humble thanks.

Larry Miller, videographer, generously volunteered to do a live video of the play. Professional looking copies were made through Dove Multimedia, fittingly in Ohio, and distributed. Ben Cleland, our technical manager for the play, kindly transferred and uploaded the 90-minute play to YouTube. Mark, hoping to attract more attention, made a well-produced two-minute promotion of the book which is on YouTube too. It has some wonderful photo shots of Hope. You might wish to view each. Who knows? Possibly, some day, a company will take content from each screenplay as well as the play and produce the movie Mark so envisioned.

In the meantime, Mark is in a place of hope, and every time I go to WILLow LeaVes and look at “The Well House” poster on the wall with all the other play posters, I will think about Mark saying this about one of the main points within the book, “Love transcends the boundaries of time and circumstances.” And, I will always remember some of his last words to me, “Hope feels like home.”

Each quote travels through my essence and reminds me of how extremely fortunate I am to be a small part of Hope, Indiana!

A Celebration of Life in Indiana will be at the Mechanicsburg Cemetery on Saturday, July 18 starting at 11 a.m. The cemetery is one hour and thirty minutes from Hope with the following address: 9264 US-36 Middletown, about one-quarter mile west of Mechanicsburg.