Ruth (Van Essen) Clark grew up on a small farm in rural Minnesota, married her best friend, and has called California, Nebraska, and Iowa “home.” When available, she enjoys good conversations around cups of coffee or plates of food, games, cooking, gardening, international cuisine, and good stories found in books and films. She currently resides in Sioux Center, Iowa, with her husband, daughter, son, and baby due in May, adding to her beautiful chaos.