Steve and Marie Nygren discovered the property now known as Serenbe on an outing to introduce their children to the Georgia countryside. They purchased the first 60 acres, along with the existing buildings, in 1991. Weekend visits for Marie, Steve and their young daughters literally transformed their lives and in 1994 they sold their Atlanta home and relocated full-time to Serenbe. In 1996, they turned the 1930s horse barn next to their house into guest rooms and opened the Serenbe Bed & Breakfast. Steve was raised on a Colorado farm and began working part time for Stouffer’s Food Corporation while attending the University of Colorado. Seven years later, Steve was the National Director of Sales and Marketing for Stouffer’s Hotels. In 1973, Steve opened the Pleasant Peasant restaurant, which grew to a corporation of 34 restaurants in eight states by the time of his departure in 1994. He has been active in many civic and charitable organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Midtown Alliance, Chairman of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association and Chairman of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chairman of The Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance. He currently serves on the Department of Community Affairs Board and chairs the Task Force for Comprehensive Planning for Georgia.