Mountain Muse
A Retreat for Christian Writers & Artists
October 2nd-4th, 2026
Check in 9am Friday / Check out 4pm Sunday
A rustic retreat in the middle of God’s glorious creation for Christian creators needing inspiration, time and renewal.
The food—Made by our fabulous cooks.
The Setting—Inspiring.
The people — united by their love of creativity
(whether you are a hobbiest or pursuing a career)
Must be ages 16+
The Price–$175 for the weekend
Spotlight on the Speaker
Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels.
When she’s not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once.
She’s a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
Artist Leader
Celia Marie Baker is an artist, illustrator, and teacher. Originally from the west side of Washington state, Celia and her family (a ruggedly-bearded husband, five boys, and one grey cat) are moving east to Camas Meadows Bible Camp.
As a Jesus-follower, Celia believes that art is a gift to help us understand and celebrate our Creator and His kingdom.
Creative since childhood, Celia earned a BA in Design from Cornish College of the Arts, majoring in Illustration. She has had the privilege of sharing her art in a variety of ways, but is most proud of her illustration work for the children’s book, This is Ella, a book about Down Syndrome, inclusion, and friendship. Celia designed and installed an illustrated entryway for the children’s section at the Oak Harbor Library with the help of her carpenter husband, has worked as an art camp director, teacher, and workshop leader. Helping others gain confidence and find joy in their creativity is a passion which God has grown through the years. She is very excited to take part in the Mountain Muse retreat, coming alongside fellow creatives who want to rest, rejoice, and respond to the glory of our wonderful God.
Escape, Renew, Create.
If you’re a writer or artist, there is always something to stop you from creating. Dishes, the job, swim meets, or just that inner skeptic who sits on your shoulder insisting that the last project isn’t worth the match used to burn it.
I’m inviting you to ignore all that.
Just for a few days.
Get away!
October is the ideal time to get away. The business of summer is complete, school is well under control, and the mountains are absolutely gorgeous with blazing blue skies and fall color lacing the forest.
Situated on a sub-alpine meadow in the middle of Washington State’s beautiful Cascade Mountains, CMBC is the perfect location for an escape from the everyday. Come and join us and let your creative side flourish.
Get Creative!
Whether you are a casual writer or artist or are pursuing a career, you will find the time and inspiration at The Mountain Muse to make something beautiful.
Writing
Plotting
Plein Art Sketching
Sunrise Art
Painting
Art Journaling
Schedule
During our “Create” time you’ll have the opportunity to write, plot, and create on your own OR follow short lessons on sketching, plein air painting, life gesture drawing, or healing journal art.
Other than gathering at mealtimes for a few inspirational words, creative sessions, and craft tricks to help us learn and grow, the time will be yours to simply create. So pack your notebook of unfinished poems, that novel you haven’t quite finished, or your painting that is only halfway done.
Friday
9:00am–Breakfast and Inspiration
10:00am to 1:00pm–Create
1:00pm to 1:45pm–Lunch and Inspiration
1:45pm to 6:00pm–Create
6:00pm to 7:30pm–Dinner and Inspiration
7:30pm to 9:00pm–Create
9:00pm–Possibilities include: Hike to Inspiration Point, Snack, and Board Games
12:00pm–Lights Out
Saturday
6:45am- (optional) Sunrise Hike
9:00 am–Breakfast and Inspiration
10:00 am to 1:00pm–Create
1:00pm to 1:30pm–Lunch
1:45pm to 6:00pm–Create
6:00pm to 7:30pm–Dinner and Inspiration
7:00pm to 9:00pm–Create
9:00pm–Fellowship, Fun & S’mores
12:00pm–Lights Out
Sunday
9:00am–Breakfast and Inspiration
9:30am to 1:00pm–Create
1:00pm to 2:00pm–Lunch and Inspiration
2:00pm to 4:00pm–Create
4:00pm–Snack, Coffee, and farewells
For the Artist
Three days to slow down, quiet your heart and listen. Three days to wander and wonder in the beautiful mountainous landscape surrounding Camas Meadows. You are a creative soul, brimming with ideas and aching for time to put them down in shape and color. Take the time to let your creative soul flourish at The Mountain Muse.
We’ll head out onto woodland trails, meadows, and rocky outcrops with sketchbooks in hand to do plein air drawing and painting as a group. Then we’ll return to the lodge to produce work, fueled by our morning’s exploration. You can work alone at a quiet table or in conversation with others who share your passion.
Pack up your paints, paper and brushes . . . but wait! Surely it is a little impractical to bring ALL your supplies. But what to bring? What if inspiration takes an unexpected turn? To mitigate this packing conundrum, we will provide an art supply lending library. Watercolors, acrylic markers, colored pencils, charcoals, pastels, alcohol markers, and oil pastels for you to borrow. So bring your favorites! Those delightfully juicy art markers, that pad of Arches cotton rag cold press paper you've been longing to fill, and those buttery pastels! Know that there will be a fun little lending library of student grade supplies to explore, as well.
Saturday morning we'll head out early for a sunrise hike, drinking in the fresh morning light and glorious views; fuel for the afternoon creative time, where you can reflect on and rejoice in God's creation in the medium of your choice. Let input naturally flow into output without the regular distractions and responsibilities of daily life.
Long walks and plein air painting not your thing? Feel free to hang back and enjoy a cup of coffee in the quiet of the lodge. Snag a few items from the art supply lending library, spread out, and create for hours, uninterrupted. No meals to prep, no errands to run--we'll feed you three times a day and keep the coffee pot full.
Along with meals, we will come together for spiritual food and fellowship. Taking time to slow down, rest in His goodness, and rejoice in the blessing of being image bearers of our infinite Creator is an important part of the retreat. Looking into God's word and letting Him shape our view and our voice will bring a special clarity and power to our creative endeavors, as well.
For the adventurous creators only!
Yes, you will be sleeping in bunk beds (be sure to bring a sleeping bag or bedding!), walking down twisting dirt paths to the fire pit for s’mores, and quite possibly singing songs with hand motions during our time of worship. Think of all the fabulous research you can achieve by living a few strategic outdoorsy moments. After this experience you will be able to confidently write about a child’s first day at camp, a midnight hike to view the vast expanse of mountain stars, or encountering a terrifying bunny on a remote trail!
So if your life needs some nature, a little bit of nurture, and a few days of quiet to percolate, come and join us at The Mountain Muse.
Expectations
The main lodge is a quiet writing space so that everyone can get the optimum amount of work done.
The small lodge is set aside as a “talking zone.” If you want to chat or bounce some ideas off a friend, this is the place to go.
At 9:00pm the “Quiet Zone” moves to the small lodge and the large lodge becomes the place for fun, games, and friendly chatter.