The Crossings • Leander

The Crossings • Leander

Written by Mark Collins Monday, 07 January 2008

When Ken Beck joined a little startup company called Dell in 1988, he never thought it would lead to owning his own learning center 20 years later.

“We realized that Dell had provided a capability to us to do something different, unique and hopefully significant,” Beck said. “We entered into a planning, dreaming and praying time and came up with the idea of The Crossings.”

Beck opened The Crossings in 2003 with his wife, Joyce, who is a psychotherapist.

The Crossings is a learning center set in a retreat-type atmosphere. Guests may come for a day, weekend or as long as they wish.

It regularly hosts workshops led by motivational speakers, writers and teachers.

The classes are held in one of four major meeting spaces at The Crossings and cover a variety of topics, including physical and mental fitness, watercolor and trapeze.

While at The Crossings, guests may indulge in the facility’s award-winning wellness spa, which features 13 treatment rooms, a sauna, hot tub and outdoor swimming pool.

“There is always an aspect of education that goes along with everything that happens at The Crossings,” Beck said. “The education in the benefits of massage includes why one service is different from another and how that affects the individual.”

The Crossings is located just west of Austin in the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

Overlooking Lake Travis, the campus sits on 45 acres of the 210 total owned by the facility. The remaining 165 acres are protected by a conservation easement, ensuring The Crossings will remain quiet and peaceful.

“When people come here, they’re out in nature; they’re in the Texas Hill Country. You’re surrounded by all the beautiful live oaks. It’s really stunning,” Beck said.

However, staying at The Crossing is far from roughing it in the wilderness.

The 15-building campus has close to 85,000 sq. ft. of air-conditioned space and is capable of sleeping up to 165 people. Rooms are intentionally left without televisions to promote conversation among guests.

Other buildings in the campus include a sanctuary, dining hall, welcome center and café.

“When someone comes here, we take care of them completely,” Beck said. “People that have been here and come back multiple times say they are coming back home.”

Popular crossings Spa packages:

The Perfect Day — Lunch on the patio is followed by an orange blossoms massage of essential oils and geranium followed by a relaxing yoga class.

The Sweetest Dream — A meditation class precedes a sunset dinner finished with a deep sleep aromatherapy massage.

Hilltop Escape — All of The Crossings’ amenities are available for a day-long personal retreat including lunch and discounted spa treatments.

Working Women’s Half Day of Wellness — A half day of spa services includes healthy food, wellness classes and nature walks.

The Crossings, 13500 FM 2769, Leander, TX, 258-7243, www.thecrossingsaustin.com