Rimbey’s Beatty House is a staple attraction in the community and visitors from around the world come to grace its floors receiving guided tours by the cheerful summer student who spends her days there.
Historic met modern when summer student Natasha Bartsch got the job following a Skype interview, as she was still finishing up her academic year at the University of Alberta’s School of Business.
“It’s been good so far, I’ve been outside a lot,” said Bartsch.
She loves being able to enjoy the nice — sometimes too nice — weather the summer has offered and discovered an interest in gardening she did not know she had while taking care of the Beatty House flower beds.
“And then I’ve had some interesting people come,” said Bartsch. “I’ve had some come from Europe and out of the (United) States.”
Note-worthy guests include relatives of Ben Rimbey, whose family the town was named for, as well as descendents of other first settlers.
As a lover of travel, Bartsch easily made note of how far-flung the decedents had trekked from their ancestors’ hometown.
Another of Bartsch’s most memorable guests was an elderly woman who stopped by to regal her world travels, from Kenya, Africa to trips on submarines.
Halfway through her business degree, Bartsch’s major is international business with a minor in accounting. “So I’m hoping I can get a job abroad.”
Europe is one of the places she would love to work, as well as a return trip to New Zealand.
Barsch grew up in Rimbey and feels the house holds something special for the community. “I think they did a really good job restoring it.”
“The house, I think it has a lot of character. There’s a lot of really unique features,” she added.