Meet the Faces Behind the Pages
Kelsy Bellah
Editor-in-Chief
Originally from Hawley, Texas, Kelsy Bellah moved to Brownwood in 2015, where she completed her degree in English and Education at Howard Payne University. She taught sophomore English at Brownwood High School before becoming a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her son, Kylan.
In 2020, Kelsy lost her husband, Chase, in a tragic plane crash. Her husband’s accident centered her passion for reading and writing on the human condition and the personal stories of those around her.
Kelsy has a genuine interest in people. She once read a quote from British author Tahir Shah, "Stories are a communal currency of humanity.” She fully believes that to be true.
Sharing one another’s stories is integral to being a Christian, a citizen, and simply a human. Kelsy’s biggest hope for the magazine is to develop connections and empathy between one another. She believes that a love for others begins at home.
Kelsy enjoys traveling, hiking, and camping with her son and two dogs, Nala and Alfie. At home, she delights in spending time in the yard with her family, cooking up science experiments and building train tracks with Kylan, or curling up on the couch with a good book.
Rick Mauch
Writer
Rick Mauch is a freelance writer from Weatherford, Texas. He has written about everything and everyone, from the Olympic Trials to Hollywood celebrities. He has worked as an editor at numerous publications and even enjoyed some time as a publisher in Colorado before realizing his true passion is writing.
Rick’s career began with ten years in radio broadcasting, working his way to morning drive time in the Birmingham, Alabama, market before the writing bug bit him. Rick has written for Brown County Living magazine for over five years.
When he is not writing, he can often be found on a golf course turning bogeys into birdies. He also loves spending time with his beautiful wife Junell and their three magnificent granddaughters, two who live across town and another who gives him and Junell a reason to escape to the mountains of Colorado several times each year.
And when there is an Alabama sporting event on TV, you are welcome to stop by but understand the only visiting will be during commercials.
Connie Lewis Leanord
Writer
Connie Lewis Leonard lives with her husband, Gary, in Granbury, Texas. They have two adult children, three grandchildren, three rescue dogs, and one horse. Gary served as lead pastor for over forty years.
After teaching English and Language Arts for twenty-five years, Connie retired to follow her dream of writing. She loves writing good news articles for small-town and county magazines about people and organizations that make a positive difference in the world.
She has written a women's fiction novel, Big C, little c, and one devotional Bible study titled A Psalm a Day. Her “In Texas” contemporary Christian series includes Somebody Somewhere in Texas, Light up My Life in Texas, Play Me Back Home in Texas, Hidden Away Somewhere in Texas, and Following the Ghost Lights in Texas.
These books are available at Amazon.com/books under her name, Connie Lewis Leonard.
Brie Williams
Photographer
Brie Williams is a photographer residing in Brownwood, Texas, with her husband, Eli. She has loved taking pictures since she was a little girl. Brie bought her first camera when she was about 9 years old.
It was a small, turquoise digital camera with a wrist strap, and it sparked a passion in her for capturing memories and creating beauty through photos. Brie loves a warm cup of coffee, baking at home on a Saturday, and an early morning run.
However, knowing, and serving people is one of her greatest joys in life. She is passionate about Jesus and sharing His love and grace with the people around her.
Brie’s ultimate goal with photography is to genuinely love and serve the people she comes into contact with. You can learn more about Brie and view her work on her website briewilliamsphotography.com.