Seminary Journal 2008 (August) - Virginia Theological Seminary

Editor’s Note:
Things I know about Martha Horne
One afternoon in 1986 I received a polite phone call
at my Seminary offi ce asking if I had a few minutes to talk. It
was the Rev. Martha Horne, VTS ’83, who had been offered the
position of Assistant to Dean Richard Reid. I had been the VTS
publications editor for about a year, and Martha wanted to know
my views on the working environment. I was surprised and
fl attered to be asked and was quick to answer: “This is the best
place in the world to work.” I don’t know how much my small
input mattered, but as we know, she took the job.
I spent the next years knowing: “Martha respects staff
opinion.”
Fast forward a few years: My son was in Washington
Hospital Center undergoing surgery that would either save his
life, or end it. Family and friends had been gathered for days,
and on that last day in the surgical reception area we waited, and
waited, and waited. Unexpectedly, Martha Horne walked into the
waiting area. She asked how things were going and sat down to
talk to us. I was deeply touched by her taking the time to visit and
assured her that I would let her know how things turned out. She
didn’t leave. She waited almost two hours with us, until at last the
doctor and his team appeared to tell us that James would recover.
I spent the next years understanding: “Martha really
cares about people.”
Another phone call, another hospital scene. This time
I was the sick one, recovering from acute diverticulitis, lying in
bed completely stupid with drugs but well on my way to getting
better. The phone rang and it was the Dean.
“What have you got, Alix?” she asked.
“I can never remember the name of it,” I mumbled
groggily. “Starts with a ‘D’. I think it’s called diffenbachia.”
Deadpan, Martha replied, “Diffenbachia is a house
plant.”
“I know,” I groaned, and then we both broke out
laughing.
I spent the next years appreciating: “Martha is secretly a
very funny person.”
Respect for others, compassion, and humor: only three
characteristics of the wonderful person with whom I worked for
19 years. Thank you, Martha.