The Vander Heides have extensive firsthand experience with their subject matter. Ralph, a former Mormon, holds a Ph.D, in Germanic and Hispanic studies and has taught in colleges and high schools. ...ver másThe Vander Heides have extensive firsthand experience with their subject matter. Ralph, a former Mormon, holds a Ph.D, in Germanic and Hispanic studies and has taught in colleges and high schools. He studied writing under Brewster Ghiselin at the University of Utah.
Judy earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees. She studied writing with Wallace Stegner at Stanford University. Judy has worked as a history and English teacher in high schools and as a guidance counselor. The couple has lived in the regions covered in the novel and are now both retired.ver menos