Week 6, Extended Learning and BLAST OFF!
Friday, February 20, 2026 by Cindy K. Sproles

We're Waiting for You!

Let's start with our final week of extended learning. It is officially on the site. Honestly, I wrote this but I think I might have stolen some things from Bob Hostetler. That said, Bio, Bio, Bio might be by myself and Bob. I don't know. I don't remember. Surely, you don't expect me to remember? Anywho, I did give him partial credit. I said by Bob Hostetler and Maybe Cindy K. Sproles. I've since repented of my forgetfulness and given Bob credit JUST IN CASE! Your bio is important and thanks to a conferee sending me a note today asking about a bio, I thought I'd drop back in time and grab this for your final week of learning. As I said, your bio is important, and there are different types used for different things. Take time to read through. Keep this on hand as you write and submit. Bob and I will thank you. :) Click here.

?Terri and I are looking forward to meeting you. Actually, I believe we're a bit excited. Our conference pretty much runs like a well-oiled wheel. We've been at this for 19 years, but that doesn't mean that something could fall off the counter. So, we ask in advance for your patience and grace should something go awry.

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CHECK THE CONFERENCE UPDATE PAGE - If anything of importance changes, it will show up there. CHECK IT FREQUENTLY!

1) Printable schedule - At this time, our schedule is ready. Please note, the Cove could change this in a heartbeat. But as for now, it is saved on the Schedule page. You can download this PDF and print it so you have the schedule. Snap a photo. And we will have them available at the conference at our check-in desk in Shepherd's Inn. I've only printed enough for everyone to have one. I'm cheap, and I dislike picking them up off the floor and in seats only to toss them in the trash. Get yours and then know it is always accessible on the website.

2) Weather - Weather is weather, and only the good Lord can control it. We have beautiful 68-degree weather right now. By Monday, we will see rain and maybe a dusting of snow. BUT, by Wednesday, we're heading back up into the 60s. I would recommend closed-toed shoes, tennies as we call them, or boots, simply because it is the mountains and temperatures and dip in the early morning and at night. Better safe than sorry...leave your sandals at home. We recommend long sleeves and a sweater for inside the Training Center. It does get nippy as they try to keep the buildings at a bearable temperature for everyone. Carry a sweater to be safe.

3) We ask that you dress appropriately. Jeans are fine at our conference, but we ask that they be all in one piece - in other words, "holey jeans are not holy at the Cove." Remember that our impression is the first thing others see, so we ask that you dress casually but modestly.

4) We do our best to remain fragrance-free. Please, ladies, we have faculty members and conferees who need to carry EPI-PENS to counter the effects of perfumes, body sprays, and lotions. Consider leaving these at home just this one weekend. We really don't want anyone ending up in the ER. Thank you in advance.

5) Enjoy the meals at the Cove. They are wonderful, BUT we are on a time schedule, and so is the Cove. Meal times are on the clock. Remember, we are not the only conference waiting to eat. Meals are staggered, and we eat first. Yay! However, our time with you is tight. So, eat, laugh, enjoy. But when you are finished, head up to the 3rd Floor. Billy is waiting to begin worship, and we can't get thrown behind on our schedule. If we get behind, so do the remaining conferences and dining hall. As my Mamaw used to say, "Eat your dumplins' and don't dawdle. Ain't nothin' worse than a dawdler."

6) Do not arrive before 11:00 a.m. - The Cove is emptying out after a prior conference, and the hotel will be buzzing. Wait until at least 11 so our gals have time to set up everything. Leave your bags in the car unless you are being dropped off. In that case, you may bring them into the hotel and store them by the fireplace. They'll be safe there. ?Get your badge from our conference care gals, then head next door to the 3rd floor for early-bird classes. You'll have time before supper to check in at the hotel. Rooms will not be ready until 3 p.m. unless the Cove performs a miracle, and sometimes they do.

7) Sign the liability release for our insurance. Our Conference Care gals will have this, a nice new pen for you, and a schedule.

8) If you cannot make the conference at the last minute, please email me at [email protected]. See, the Cove has the wonderful head of security named Bill, and he very carefully eyes the attendance list. If your name is not checked off, he goes on the hunt to ensure you are either there, hiding, or not on campus. The security at the Cove is amazing, and they take their job seriously. Hence, for the guard at the gate. If you will be a late arrival, let us know so we can let Bill know and keep the stress off his heart. :) With the Cove sold out for the weekend, security will ensure everything is in order.

8) Speaking of security - YOUR NAME BADGE. You must wear it at all times. Not only is this your security check, but it is your meal ticket. And if you do not have it on, the Cove employees may not let you go to the 3rd floor. Wear your badge. When the conference is over, leave your lanyard at our bookstore and drop your badge in the basket by the main doors as you leave.

FINALLY,

FISHERS OF WORDS

It would have been amazing to be an eyewitness to Jesus. Don't you think? Imagine trailing along behind this unusual man, eyeing His generosity and watching His compassion unfold. Think for a moment that you are sitting on the banks of the river watching the fisherman unload their catch, and then you see Jesus casually walk up and ask complete strangers to follow Him. You might duck behind a few women washing clothes or slip farther up the shoreline so that He wouldn't approach you. The question is, if Jesus walked up to you and asked you to follow Him, would you blindly follow a stranger? Maybe or maybe not.

We started praying the day after the 2025 conference for God to send those He'd have attend. Short of a small handful of returning conferees (under eight), 95% of you are first-timers to our conference. You may not think this is much, but the truth is, this happens EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Well over the 90% mark are new. There isn't another conference in the country that has that accolade unless this is their first year. This is our calling.

What does it say to us? That we prayed for God to send those He would have attend, and here you are. Brand new to us, maybe even brand new to writing or conferences, but you are here. An answered prayer. What does it say to you? Well, it was Jesus walking up to you and asking you to follow Him. He chose you, and you said yes. You only thought you could hide.

Before you leave this conference, we will give you a 3x5 card and ask you to write ONE LINE. When did you first feel the call to write? Now, notice I said one line, not a complete history. You're a writer, follow the guidelines. I can tell you that I felt God's call in 2002 when our church board came to me and said, "We think you'd be great at this, and we'll pay for you to attend this conference." I said yes, and 3 months later, I walked into the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, green in more ways than one. There's my one line. Wanna know what happened next? I sat in class next to Eddie Jones, and we struck up a friendship. Two years later, we answered the call to begin this ministry. Here we are, some 24 years later, still friends, still writing, and still trying to follow the fisher of men.

When you say yes to Jesus, wonderful things await you. Things like hard moments, frustration, and rejection. Oh, and joy, friendship, service, and success in Him. God always makes your answer to His call, worth your while.

You have been called by the Father and by the Son of Man, and here you are, ready and willing to write for Him. Who knows where the road will lead? God is full of surprises.

I'm sure the disciples couldn't believe they said yes to a stranger, but they did, and they changed the world. So will you!

We look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Much, Much, MUCH Love,

Cindy?