Here certainly would be plenty of seclusion, and it seemed to have four of the qualifications you wanted; the fifth had to be worked out — the giving "from the heart."
As stated before, the land was not owned by Father as an individual, but as a partner of a company, nor had he thought of giving it away, or ever thought of its use beyond a hunting preserve (which was the reason he came to South Carolina in the first place, about 40 years ago, although many years ago [he] had given up hunting due to his age). However, the Myrtle Beach Farms Company had anticipated that they might sell this lake district, which is seven miles up from their other activities, as one project at some future date after the war.
Norina and I at once saw the possibilities for your spiritual center, if only it could be obtained, and we were told that the one with the largest lake, with a mile of ocean front and squared off to the main highway, would be approximately 500 acres. Of course, I got enthusiastic and that, combined with other circumstances (such as my sister Virginia wanting very much to eventually own the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin farm; and talk at that time about Father making a will and leaving one-third of his property to each of his three children), I had the opportunity to say that I would like to own these 500 acres and concentrate my interests around Myrtle Beach, instead of having a third slice of properties elsewhere. However, it would be much nicer to have it now than to wait until he died, and he would certainly have more pleasure in seeing me enjoy its use. Furthermore, it would be used for humanitarian purposes, as you had told me before leaving India that the greatest need after the war would be the care of homeless children and one of your centers would be used for that purpose.
I must say that Father was unusually responsive, as Myrtle Beach is his pet place, and he has many times in the past said that none of his children had shown any interest in it. I told him I had my spiritual interest to consider first in my life, as his religious interests are predominant in his life, and I would certainly take an interest in Myrtle Beach if I had some real interest along my own lines to work out here, such as this lake property where a center could be formed.