A funny thing happened on the way to becoming innkeepers. Nancy Kieran and Mark Provost, owners of the Kendall Tavern Inn B&B, hadn’t planned to end up in Freeport. They hadn’t planned to buy a bed-and- breakfast more than 11?2 hours from Boston. They had looked for two years at more than 25 inns in Massachusetts and southern Maine.

On one trip north from their home in Danvers, Mass., to visit Nancy’s parents in Warren, they stopped in town to check out L.L. Bean. Doesn’t everyone? One look at the beautiful yellow and white historic house just north of the village and they knew they were meant to be in Freeport. To “seal” their fate, Nancy joined the Mug Club at Gritty’s even before closing the deal on the inn.

In April 2014, they took over as first-time innkeepers. Since then, they have painted, redecorated, redesigned the gardens – with help from Mark’s sister and Bill Stone of Shady Glen Nursery – and enjoyed a busy 2014 and even busier 2015. During the season, like most businesses in Freeport, they never have a day off. But during Christmas, they invite family and friends to stay with them to celebrate and the Kendall Tavern Inn becomes a cozy home.

Nancy and Mark don’t spend all of their time working on the inn. They delight in reaching out into the community, getting to know their neighbors, attending local events, joining local groups and organizations, and just networking. They met 20 years ago while working for a Boston area nonprofit and enjoyed a large community of friends and co-workers, which they are re-creating in Freeport.

They are already well-known and well-liked in Freeport. Mark tells the story of one guest last year from Italy who was unfamiliar with window air conditioners. The gentleman raised the window to let in fresh air and out fell the AC unit two stories to the ground. Mark went the very next morning to Freeport Hardware in search of blocks to secure a new unit. Woody Woodbury, the owner, greeted Mark with, “We don’t have any more air conditioners, but here is how we can help.” Woody knew all about the accident within a few hours even before Mark said a word. This shows a great local support network that cares.

Their challenge, of course, was establishing themselves and the freshened inn quickly to capture the tourist season. They network like crazy and use social media channels. Nancy’s blog, which is topical and fun, has kept them in front of their audience. They both work hard on spreading the word about their extraordinary hospitality. Both are comfortable with conversation and quick with humor.

To Nancy’s surprise, she has become very creative and excited about breakfast offerings. Just check their 147 rave reviews on TripAdvisor, which are centered on food (accolades for her date scones) and their warm welcome. Nancy has become very accomplished with special dietary requirements and has even received applause in the dining room. She is willing to share recipes and, maybe, someday a cookbook?

Mark likes to say that Nancy followed a dream and he followed a woman. However they came to Freeport, they have found a home.

Sande Updegraph of ?Brunswick recently retired as the executive director of the Greater Freeport Chamber ?of Commerce. Her column appears monthly in the Tri-Town Weekly.