Katie and Chloe contributed an illustrated sign that read WELCOME EVERYBODY, complete with a large yellow sun in the corner.

A few people questioned why we were pouring money into a property with such an expensive renovation.

They pointed out that the former occupants had lost it in a foreclosure and that redevelopment could have been far more profitable as luxury homes.

I thought about the costs and agreed that the easier business decision might have been to sell.

But our board had approved the project based on clear community needs, and we had built a sustainable model rather than relying on my anger to finance it.

That distinction mattered.