They like the setting, the atmosphere. They like what's happening to their kids. You see evidence of people's faith. Julie Cornelsen, the owner of Reedley Bible and Gift shop, always sets up a marker easel on the sidewalk in front of her store. Across the street, Karen Sorenson, a co-owner of TownHouse Books, stacks free material next to the cash register.
People watch out for one another here.
Those aren't just words, either. On this day, Sorenson invites a first-time downtown visitor to return to lunch in the back of the bookstore. The visitor accepts. They eat chili relenos. Then, the conversation turns to God, to thankfulness.