About Us

Hi, I’m Lucy Fox—owner and Chief Welcomer at Gift House. I’m a social worker with a knack for connecting people and building things—houses, nonprofits, and most of all, welcoming spaces.  After years of building community far away, I now want to do the most meaningful work here at home.

      My grandfather built a cottage on this river bend the summer I was born.  Over the years, it grew with our family—hosting holidays, retreats, and even a few wild parties in the ’80's. After decades away working as a psychotherapist and even living abroad for several years,  this home remains my most favorite place; I often say I hope to take my last breath on its porch.

      For the past eight years, Airbnb helped sustain the house, but it was disheartening when guests treated it like a hotel. Everything changed, renting summer months to Georgetown dolphin researchers—brilliant, hardworking environmentalists who love the property and always leave it better than they found it.   Around the same time, my musician's retreat leader & nephew wisely advised: “Stop catering to Airbnb, just let the property be what it is—and what it is, is deeply peaceful.” 

      Today, Gift House is a not-for-profit venture with a dream: to one day welcome guests seeking rest, self-discovery, and community for FREE.  We haven't figured that puzzle out yet, but please join us on the journey to building a self-sustaining place for healing, growth, and joy!​

      I am a native of the Northern Neck, having grown up in Kinsale, Virginia. While my career and travels have taken me many places, my heart has always remained in this region of rivers, forests, and rolling farmland.

      As a connector at heart, I love bringing people together and building community. Over the course of my professional and academic life, I’ve had opportunities to retreat and reflect in diverse settings—experiences that make Gift House Retreats a natural extension of my path. Becoming a Founding Steward is both a return to my roots and an evolution of my purpose.

      I often describe myself as “rewiring,” having successfully “flunked retirement” more than once. I bring vision, pragmatism, and curiosity shaped by leadership roles across multiple sectors and a lifelong commitment to learning. The Gift House Retreats experience is designed to help individuals and organizations pause, reflect, and move forward with clarity—whether to rest, create, re-energize a team, or simply enjoy time in nature.

      I am excited to bring my life experiences to the creation of a space in harmony with nature, removed from the fast pace of modern life, and in tune with the vibrancy of life on the river.

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Hi, I’m David Nguyen—a fellow Virginian with roots in Richmond and Yorktown, and The One Who Keeps Things Running here at Gift House Retreats. I’ve been here for two years now, and I still wake up every day feeling lucky to be part of this place. Community service has always been at the heart of my life; I spent many years organizing programs at the YMCA, helping bring people together in meaningful ways. During COVID, I followed a long-held dream and rode my bicycle from Coast to Coast—and since then, I’ve crossed the country several times.  That spirit of adventure, simplicity, and connection is exactly what drew me to Gift House.

      Being here feels deeply aligned with my values. I love the peace of the land, the rhythm of the work, and the chance to keep everything flowing smoothly so guests can truly relax and reset. Whether I’m fixing something that’s broken, tending to the grounds, or pointing someone toward a good fishing spot, I’m happiest when I’m being useful and present. The flexible schedule lets me head out on long bike journeys in the summer, but Gift House always feels like home. Lucy likes to say I’m family now—so I guess there’s no going back.