"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

"What do you hear among these mountains?

"Quiet, is it not? Calm waters. Still trees. Peaceful deer.

"But feel the strength beneath it all. The solid mountains that seem to have rumbled up out of the earth. The clouds marching in. And the sun breaking through the clouds like an angelic choir. That's the drama that I love to direct.

"I don't believe I've introduced myself. I am Albert Bierstadt . I am pleased you have journeyed so far from home to pursue your dream of becoming an artist! I have done much traveling as well. Yes, you must see this great land with your own eyes.

"America has the best material for the artist in the world. So grand, wondrous, varied, and untouched! But few Americans will ever see this land. I bring it to them with enormous paintings—some over ten feet wide! Paintings that impress the world by emphasizing the supreme power and beauty of this land. But I don't just show them a place. I summon their emotions. I inspire their hearts.

"May I show you?"