Brian’s mother Karen is the Accounts Receivable Manager at Yoder Lumber in Berlin, Ohio where she has worked for 16 years. Brian spent his entire young life stomping through the woods of Ohio and helping his grandpa in his woodshop. He knew a little about lumber, and he knew Yoder Lumber knew a LOT about lumber. Brian called Mel Yoder, the CEO of Yoder Lumber, to discuss the possibility of securing walnut slabs for a table top. Mel told Brian that Yoder Lumber had just purchased an Ohio timber tract that included walnut trees. The logs had been transported to Yoder Sawmill in Millersburg, Ohio where they had been sawn into slabs, leaving the live edge. Brian visited Yoder Lumber’s Buckhorn division to hand pick walnut slabs for the table surface and benches. He also chose soft maple for the splines that would prevent cracks from increasing and add aesthetic value to the wood project.

The process to create the beautiful table that Brian, Stephanie, and their daughters Ryleigh and Addie would gather around with friends and family for years to come had begun! The slabs were placed in the predryer for a few months then moved to the kiln for another three months. Although this timeframe seemed long, it gave Brian time to contemplate the table’s design, including the legs and seating. Karen sought out Paul Schlabach at Sharp Run Wood to inquire about completing the actual construction of the table. Paul was glad to be a part of the process.

Once the slabs were dried, they were surfaced at Yoder Lumber’s Buckhorn division and then shipped to Sharp Run. Paul and his shop manager Vernon conferred with Brian and Karen about the design. At many stages in the process, they called Karen, who would visit the shop, take pictures, and then consult with Brian. Brian, although living in Texas, was very much a part of the creative process. Paul advised Brian that there was potential risk of the bark drying out over time and falling off. After discussion and consideration of Paul’s expert advice, Brian decided to have the bark removed. He was very happy with this decision. A polyurethane finish was added to protect and accentuate the beauty of the wood.

Brian had chosen a specific design for the legs of the table. He and Stephanie also decided on the concept of gathering around the table on benches instead of chairs. The seven foot table was partnered with five-foot matching benches on each side. Chairs on each end would complete the casual elegance. Logistics were solved to ship the completed project from Millersburg, Ohio to Fort Worth, Texas. They secured a trucking company that delivers to that area once a month to transport their new, functional work of art. The trucking company was a great addition to the team, providing excellent customer service and delivering the table to the Bertschy home.

The table is magnificent! Brian and Stephanie are so pleased with how wonderful the final product looks in their home. The couple expressed their appreciation by saying, “We would like to thank everyone involved in the making of this beautiful table. Although it seemed to have taken a long time to receive the finished product, everyone involved not only put a lot of time, but also a lot of love, into making it happen! It was well worth the wait!”