This is Amber K, writing from sunny Ardantane (which at the moment is
not sunny, but enjoying heavy snowfall).

I think most of you know about Ardantane Pagan Learning Center, an
adult educational center located on 25 acres of high desert near
Albuquerque. Ardantane is non-profit, tax-exempt, and offers
certificate programs in Healing Arts, Magic and Witchcraft, Pagan
Leadership, Pagan Spirituality, Sacred Living, and Shamanic Studies. We
have ten fully accredited faculty, as well as guest teachers, and teach
not only at our campus but in cities around the Southwest, and farther
afield when invited (such as COG Leadership Institutes). The land at
the main campus is owned by Ardantane Inc., along with me and Azrael,
and Los Alamos National Bank. Ownership is gradually shifting to
Ardantane Inc., so that the land and campus will be fully owned by the
non-profit corporation in time, and pass to future generations of
Pagans.

Last year was a rough year for Ardantane, in many ways. Class
attendance was way down, probably mostly due to the poor economy.
Requests for financial assistance were higher than ever, which means
that the students we did get were often paying half the registration
fees, or getting a full ride in return for work-study.

Of course, overhead expenses continued at or above the usual levels.
Electricity, phone, office supplies, truck insurance, liability
insurance, etc. Thanks to some generous donations, we were able to keep
our building program going, though more slowly because the number of
volunteers at our work parties dropped drastically.

I am writing because we need your help. The most urgent need concerns
the bank mortgage on the land. We still owe the bank $71,000 plus
interest, and are paying about $965 each month. We have enough in our
mortgage payment account to cover the mortgage through March. That's
right, three months. The possibility exists that after that, the bank
could begin foreclosure proceedings.

We have several individuals who are making monthly donations, from $10
to $100 each, to sustain the mortgage loan payments. It adds up to
about $600 monthly. That is not enough to keep up with the mortgage
payments.

Can you help? I know that money is tight--believe me, I know firsthand.
If anyone ever tells you that writing books will make you rich, you
have my permission to scoff loudly.

We need people who will pledge a monthly amount toward Ardantane's land
mortgage for a year or more, at least until we can get our financial
footing again. $10 a month. $30, $50, $100--what can you spare? You can
set up automatic monthly payments through your bank, or Paypal, or
credit card--whatever works for you. We are now equipped to set up the
credit card payments if you wish to go that route.

Of course, one-time donations are also helpful. The full amount will go
toward paying off the mortgage on Ardantane's land.

I wish you could see Ardantane right now, with snow falling gently on
the dark green pines and the red sandstone mesas. It's lovely. Beyond
our few campus buildings, it's high desert, nature wild and open.
Beyond Ardantane, the National Forest lands stretch to the north and
east, home to elk and mule deer, mountain lions and coyotes, hawks and
songbirds....

Help us protect this place, and keep it for you AND the seventh
generation and beyond to enjoy. Please give what you can.

Blessed be, Amber K and the Staff, Faculty, Directors, and Students of
Ardantane

P.O. Box 307
Jemez Springs, NM 87025