Unlikely Friendships: Teylor & Rebecca’s Story

Teylor Schiefelbein and Rebecca Martz knew they had to get out of the house. They both moved to Colorado Springs shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and found themselves wondering how to plug into the community after restrictions were lifted in 2022.

But they both work from home and had trouble finding spaces to meet people who desired the consistent, meaningful friendships they sought. Until they joined the Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good Grapevine group.

Rebecca and Teylor live in two Colorado Springs neighborhoods that don’t usually cross. Rebecca is more outgoing, and Teylor is more observant. Rebecca works in process excellence for a global translation company, and Teylor leads a digital marketing agency. Teylor gets groceries delivered, and Rebecca shops in her neighborhood. When they met, they didn’t share a single mutual friend.

There are many reasons why the two never would have crossed paths, but fate had them sit in the right seats at the group’s first in-person gathering. In a conversation with Rebecca and Teylor about their Giving Circle experience, it was clear they had become fast and encouraging friends.

After striking up a conversation about their hopes to meet new friends through Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good, Teylor walked away with an invite to Rebecca’s monthly brunch.

The two have been hanging out ever since. Rebecca and Teylor discovered a shared passion for open-mindedness, new experiences, and exploring different perspectives. Both women remarked that reciprocity helped create a strong bond through difficult and distinct seasons of life.

This mutual respect overflowed to their husbands, whom they introduced early in the relationship and became good friends too! The couples went camping together this summer, which, as any outdoor adventurer knows, isn’t possible with just anyone. Rebeca credits the Schiefelbeins’ openness and generosity for the continued relational growth.

For Teylor and Rebecca, Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good is much more than a quarterly meeting. When asked to share what made the commitment valuable, they said:

• Professional Networking: Beyond personal relationships, Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good opens doors to professional networking opportunities. Teylor and Rebecca meet inspiring women at every gathering and know several members whose recent career transitions were aided by Grapevine connections.
• Community Awareness: With three nonprofits presented every cycle, Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good introduces members to organizations large and small that you might not come across in your social bubble. Rebecca notes that she’s gained valuable insights into local issues and initiatives she wasn’t previously aware of. She comments, “I knew nothing about the majority of groups presented, let alone knew they even existed within Colorado Springs. So I feel more connected to my community through learning.”
• Joy in Giving: At quarterly meetings, the feeling of belonging and connection to both the nonprofits presented and the people in the room is profound. Teylor laughed while saying, “I don't know if this is a selling point, but people should know that they’re likely to cry every meeting.” As nonprofits share more about their work and return to give updates, the women at Colorado Springs Women in Business for Good feel motivated and uplifted, knowing they positively impact the lives of others.

Teylor and Rebecca’s story is one of the hundreds like it across the country. What might start as a desire to leave the house can become so much more. Giving Circles on Grapevine are a space where all people can co-create meaningful change while forging genuine connections that lead to enduring friendships.

If you want to broaden your horizons, give back to the community, and meet incredible, like-minded people, your local Grapevine Giving Circle is a great place to start. Search Grapevine for the right in-person or virtual group, and when you get to your first meeting, don’t be afraid to start a conversation with the person next to you. They might become your new bestie.