A Comforting Presence on the Mountain

Reverend Dan was featured in a recent Crotched Mountain newsletter.  Here is a reprint of the article.

As many enter a season of reflection and renewal, we want to take a moment to recognize someone who has been a steady and compassionate presence at Crotched Mountain for decades — Reverend Dan.Rev. Dan has been part of our community since the late 1980s. He visits campus once each week and is available whenever requested, offering optional time for reflection grounded in kindness, respect, and care. His role is not about doctrine or pressure — it is about presence. It is about creating space.

You are just as likely to find him sitting with students at lunch, checking in with staff, or quietly supporting someone who needs to talk. He joins us for our most meaningful celebrations and stands beside us in our hardest moments, offering comfort and steadiness for both students and staff alike.

Recently, Senior Director Geoff Garfinkle shared a story that beautifully captures Rev. Dan’s impact. While attending a Special Olympics Bowling event this fall, Geoff spoke with a parent, Kristen, whose daughter participates in Rev. Dan’s weekly reflection time. Kristen shared that although she grew up Catholic, her family had not been active in a church community while raising their children. Over the past several months, her daughter had been talking at home about Reverend Dan’s visits — about the conversations, the sense of belonging, and the experience of gathering. Eventually, she began asking her family to attend church together at home

As a result, the family began attending a Methodist church near their home. Kristen shared that this decision has opened an entirely new layer of community support for her daughter — something she had not previously considered. What began as a simple weekly visit on campus has now expanded into a broader network of connection and belonging beyond the Mountain. It was an unexpected story — and a powerful reminder of how meaningful a compassionate presence can be

Rev. Dan offers compassion, consistency and care with a steady presence that matters deeply. The Crotched Mountain School community is grateful for the quiet, lasting difference he continues to make for our students, staff, and extended community.