Page 51 of After Indigo Irish Nights
“Good.” He drilled the table with a finger to punctuate the point. “Then it’s settled.”
Settled, her foot. “How are we going to handle the new space we’d need in the center?” Bets asked.
“I know Angie and Megan are eager to have another artist share this space,” Carrick volunteered.
“We’ll need a space for the kids as well,” Jamie said with swift nod, “once we fashion a plan.”
Space was at a premium as it was. “And aren’t we going to need a large space for the glass firing for Sophie if she agrees? That’ll require more of an initial investment,” Bets said, thinking of the new Excel template Liam had helped her draw up when she’d begged for help on one of their movie nights.
“Sure,” Linc said. “I’m no expert, but where there’s fire or a kiln, it’s usually a bigger, more complicated setup. With fire code crap and the like. Kathleen is going to need more space. I wondered if we don’t have Sophie work in the shed. Outside is better for the fire marshal or whatever you call it here.”
“I’ll handle that with the locals.” Donal nodded. “They didn’t have a clue what they were dealing with when we put in the pottery kilns, but presented with the right papers, we got it done. Glass blowing would be a nice addition, I think. But I like the idea of more artists.”
“Whatarethe main types of art, by the way?” Nicola asked. “Technically speaking.”
Bets gestured to Linc. “Take it away, cowboy.”
“Painting, sculpture, and architecture,” he said. “We have the first two in spades. I was wondering if we might seek out the architecture part in the person who could design the museum and its grounds. Of course, we’ll need to buy some more land around the center for it.”
“I’m happy to sell more of my fields for the museum if there isn’t a conflict of interest, being on the board,” Carrick said. “What about you, Bets?”
Bets bit the inside of her cheek. “You devil, Linc. That’s a clever idea. I hadn’t thought of that. And yes, of course, I’d ‘sell’ some land to help the center expand.”
Linc made everything seem so easy, and man, did she like that. She’d been racking her brain on how she could entice an architect on that scale to come to remote Caisleán in the wilds of Ireland. They weren’t a dime a dozen.
Donal nudged her. “He’s got ideas up his sleeve like playing cards. We’ll need a lot of planning permission, you know. I’m wondering if politicking at the fights will be enough.”
“But if we land a very famous architect to design the museum, would they say no?” Linc cracked his knuckles.
“Tom MacKenna and his like would,” Jamie said. “God help us.”
“I’ve been wondering if we don’t ask a few of them to be nonvoting trustees for the arts center,” Linc said, shooting Bets a look. “I know it won’t be popular given the trouble they’ve caused, but we need them on our side.”
The mere thought made her blood boil.
“I like the nonvoting part,” Carrick said with a frown. “Those weasels have done nothing but cause trouble. I wouldn’t like to invite them to the pub for a drink, if you know what I mean. They could cause more problems if they’re directly associated with the center.”
“We control their role.” Linc tapped his thumbs on the table. “Most people don’t want more work for themselves anyway. They just crave recognition.”
“Sounds like he already knows a lot of Irishmen in politics, doesn’t he?” Donal said with a grin.
“It’s the same everywhere,” Linc continued. “We’ll butter them up and help them see how prestigious it is to be on the board of trustees. We’ll put their names and photos on the website. Tell them they’re getting in on the ground floor before trustees are expected to donate a hefty sum to be associated with our dear center.”
“Donate?” Eoghan sputtered. “And how much would that be for?”
Linc’s shoulders shook with laughter. “When I was on the Metropolitan’s board, it was ten million dollars to secure your seat and then annual donations in the millions. Obscene when you think about it.”
Eoghan crossed himself as a few people’s shocked gasps filled the room.
“I can see everyone’s wheels turning,” Linc said. “Remember, that’s one of the world’s top museums. Some more local and less prestigious museums only have an entry check of a quarter of a million.”
Donal gaped. “That’s still a lot of money.”
“It’s what they do,” Bets said, having done her research. “People pay hefty sums to be associated with the art world.” She’d just never expected to be among such company. Holy ever-loving Christ.
“You think people will be payingusfor the privilege to be on our board?” Eoghan asked with a gasp. “You might as well be telling me we can turn water into whiskey.”
“People are going to pay.” Linc waggled his brows. “Trust me. In fact, before long, they’ll be lobbying for spots on the board. Bets will have more luncheons and dinners than she’ll know what to do with. Although to be honest, I think we should reserve a few seats for people who have incredible vision or gifts, but not the money. Like a Nobel Peace Prize winner who loves art, for example.”
