Inspiration That Sparked Vargas Ranch Sports
Sometimes the best story ideas come from the most unexpected places. For me, it was during a sweltering Phoenix summer in 2008, walking the grounds of a luxury resort after the temperature finally dropped to a "comfortable" 100 degrees.
An Anniversary Getaway That Changed a Series
My husband and I have always been fans of Phoenix's summer secret: staying at fancy resorts during off-season. When it's 105+ degrees outside, why not enjoy somewhere luxurious on the inside for a steeply discounted rate? For our June anniversary that year, we splurged on the Copper Wynd resort in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
The spa day was incredible—complete with an amazing paraffin wax treatment for my hands and a massage that left me completely relaxed. But it was our evening stroll around the resort grounds that would unknowingly plant the seed for a major plot element fourteen years later.
As we wandered the property, something caught our attention: tennis courts. A lot of tennis courts. I don't remember the exact number, but it was enough to make us stop and wonder why a resort would need so many.
My husband, being the research-loving, inquisitive guy he is, immediately started investigating. That's how we stumbled onto one of those "hidden in plain sight" discoveries that completely fascinated us: there are resorts all over the world that cater specifically to professional and competitive tennis athletes.
I had no idea such a thing existed.
When Inspiration Meets Character Development
Fast forward to 2022, when I was mapping out the Vargas Ranch Series. I knew Derin Vargas, the middle son with "a reputation with the ladies," would need something significant to shake up his confidence and his world if he was ever going to change his ways.
The solution? A job change that would push him completely outside his comfort zone.
His older brother Dalton, the ranch manager, needed someone to run the new sports rehab center they were building at their guest ranch and resort. Dalton wanted each main business venture managed by a family member, and sports-loving Derin with his outgoing personality seemed like the perfect choice.
But here's where that 2008 resort discovery became crucial: the entire sports rehab center concept blossomed from the idea of including four world-class tennis courts. What started as a curious observation during an anniversary getaway became the foundation for challenging my 28-year-old character in ways he never saw coming.
That spark of inspiration—born from a simple walk and a curious observation—became the foundation for one of the most transformative arcs in the Vargas Ranch Series. It gave Derin a setting that challenged him, a role that humbled him, and a heroine who matched him in strength and vulnerability.
Experience Derin's Story for Yourself
Read Derin’s journey from self-focused charm to Christ-centered growth, where grace, grit, and unexpected love lead to healing.
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