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      More Praise for Song of Silence

      More Praise for Song of Silence

      “Cynthia Ruchti’s enthralling novels are always on my automatic buy list. Her beautifully written stories take me on a journey through my own heart and soul. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, author of the Sunset Cove series and the Rock Harbor novels

      “Sometimes God shatters a dream because what he will create out of the broken pieces will be far more beautiful and useful than the original. Song of Silence is the glorious telling of one family’s broken dreams transformed by hope. Once again, Cynthia Ruchti delights us with poetic words woven into a faith-building, heart-tugging story.” —Becky Melby, The Lost Sanctuary Series

      “The story within these pages mirrors my own on many levels. From music education to special needs; from heartache to the reality of relationships, Ruchti nails every note with crafted precision. From downbeat to finale, this book rang deeply in my heart.” —Richard Pickrell, music education specialist, parent of a special needs child

      “Have you ever experienced the loss of a dream . . . followed by the loss of that very thing (talent, ability, character trait) within yourself that made the dream possible? Cynthia Ruchti chronicles that loss in the life of Lucy. She deftly depicts the feelings of unreality, depression, and the uncanny ability of life to follow up one knockout punch with a string of other shattering blows. Yet as despair hovers menacingly close, Cynthia injects her trademark perspective of a life ‘hemmed in hope.’ ” —Kathy Kexel, on-air host, 88.5 The Family Radio

      “Author Cynthia Ruchti once again tackles a life problem and delivers a hope-filled outcome while being honest about the struggle. In Song of Silence, readers will ask themselves, ‘What would I do if the thing that makes me feel like I matter in life was taken away and I had to start over? Where would I find my significance?’ Cynthia’s characters (of all ages) deliver real-to-life dialogue and dilemmas. The scenes balance funny, fear, and futility, resulting in renewed faith.” —Kathy Carlton Willis, pastor’s wife, women’s ministry director, author of the books Grin with Grace and Speaker to Speaker

      “Cynthia Ruchti has created vivid characters who react to change in the same ways we might respond. Put Song of Silence on your must-read list.” —Karen Porter, author, international speaker, coach, successful businesswoman

      “A beautifully written story that hits close to home in many ways. When life isn’t going the way you’d planned—when the melody seems to fade away mid-song—Ruchti’s book shares a message of hope and healing that resonates.” —Jenness Walker, author of Double Take

      “A warm reminder that God works unexpectedly in the silence of our lives. As a teacher who has experienced reduction in force (RIF), the emotions of the main character, Lucy, proved transparent and real. This book gripped my heart from the first page to the last with the reality of the situation. It taught me to ‘keep playing in the silence.’” —Cleo Lampos, M.Ed., special education teacher, speaker, author of Teachers of Diamond Project School Series and Teaching Diamonds in the Tough.

      “With her exquisitely engaging style, each word in perfect pitch, Cynthia Ruchti creates a beautiful story of healing and humor and hope. A story for the riffed teacher, for the frustrated wife, for the mother of adult children. A story for everyone whose life failed to proceed according to plan. Vivid characters, wry wit, and gentle truth held me captive from the first page to the last. This is a book that will linger in my heart for a long time!” —Carrie Schmidt, wife, English-as-a-second-language teacher, book reviewer, participant in a life not proceeding according to plan

      “Love, faith, and understanding within a family is at the heart of Song of Silence. Cynthia asked to use Lucy and Charlie as names for the main characters because I (Lucy) was Cynthia’s elementary music teacher. She was a ‘sparkplug’ and gave energy to all aspects of my teaching. I could relate to the characters’ personality conflicts in several scenes in Song of Silence and to their determination to resolve them positively, despite the challenges and disappointments that accompany life’s song.” —Lucy Ramshaw, retired music teacher

      “Cynthia has captured the heart of the main character’s struggle to redirect her focus through more challenging events than she could ever have dreamed. Song of Silence spoke to me personally as I seek God’s direction in a new phase of my own life.” —Helen McCormack, Wycliffe Missionary and former special education teacher

      “Song of Silence is a journey of heartache, soul-searching, passion-seeking, courage, and healing during a ‘timed rest’ in life that silences one’s heart song. It’s written with a tenderness that leaves you greatly blessed.” —Lynae Frank Holman, teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing

      Other Abingdon Books by Cynthia Ruchti

      They Almost Always Come Home

      When the Morning Glory Blooms

      All My Belongings

      As Waters Gone By

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      Song of Silence

      Copyright © 2016 by Cynthia Ruchti

      All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Permissions, The United Methodist Publishing House, 2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., PO Box 280988, Nashville, TN, 37228-0988 or e-mailed to [email protected].

      The persons and events portrayed in this work of fiction are the creations of the author, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

      Macro Editor: Jamie Chavez Published in association with the Books & Such Literary Agency.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Names: Ruchti, Cynthia, author.

      Title: Song of silence / Cynthia Ruchti.

      Description: First edition. | Nashville : Abingdon Press, [2016]

      Identifiers: LCCN 2015038678 (print) | LCCN 2015044603 (ebook) | ISBN

      9781426791499 (binding: pbk.) | ISBN 9781501816369 (e-book)

      Subjects: | GSAFD: Christian fiction.

      Classification: LCC PS3618.U3255 S66 2016 (print) | LCC PS3618.U3255 (ebook)

      | DDC 813/.6--dc23

      LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015038678

      All scripture quotations unless noted otherwise are taken from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.CommonEnglishBible.com.

      Psalm 51:10 on page 145 is taken from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

      Acknowledgments

      To those who make space for music

      and those who leave room for silence

      Acknowledgments

      I owe a debt of gratitude to the music educators who nurtured a lifelong appreciation for the power and influence of music. Lucy’s passion in this story is a reflection of a real-life Lucy, who had such an impact on my life that the songs she taught me—and the emotional connection to the songs—are tucked in my soul’s archives forever. Thank you, Lucy. (And thank you for giving permission to name my characters after you and your Charlie.)

      My father—whom I consider among the top music educators of all time—didn’t live long enough to know I would write a story he influenced so strongly. Your legacy lives

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