About Us
The Rabbit Room cultivates and curates stories, music, and art
to nourish Christ-centered communities for the life of the world.
Music
From the beginning, music has been a central gathering point for the Rabbit Room community. Whether through live events like the Local Show, new releases from favorite artists, or the discovery of fresh new talent, we believe music brings people together.
Story
Through books, movies, theater, and other media, the magic of storytelling has the power to shape not only our minds, but the world around us. And story, like music, has the kind of magic that not only draws people closer to one another, but draws them further up and further into the great Story.
Art
Painting, gardening, pottery, woodcraft, parenting, cooking--whenever we spend our energy in creative action, art is the result. And it's these creative acts, large and small, that remind us we are ourselves the work of a Creator. Art is sacramental, pointing us toward the Truth present in every atom of Creation.
The Rabbit Room was conceived as an experiment
in creative community.
After author/singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson’s first visit to the Oxford home of C. S. Lewis, he returned to Nashville with a conviction that community nourishes good and lasting work. The Rabbit Room, the name of the back room of the pub where the Oxford Inklings (including Lewis, Tolkien, and Charles Williams) shared their stories, began as a simple blog of contributing authors, songwriters, artists, and pastors. Over the years, with the help of Andrew’s brother A. S. “Pete” Peterson, his manager Christie Bragg, a growing staff, and encouragement from the loyal Rabbit Room contributors and readers, the Rabbit Room has grown to include podcasts, a thriving music and book store, Rabbit Room Press, a yearly conference called Hutchmoot, regular events like the Local Show, and a physical home in a 150-year-old farmhouse called North Wind Manor. If you’d like to dig a little deeper into what’s behind the Rabbit Room concept, Andrew wrote about the experience that led to its inception here.
Our Staff
Andrew Peterson, Proprietor
As a singer-songwriter and recording artist, Andrew has released eleven records over the past fifteen years including his latest album, Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1. His music has earned him a reputation for writing songs that connect with his listeners in ways equally powerful, poetic, and intimate. A natural-born storyteller, Andrew has also followed his gifts into the realm of publishing. His books include The Wingfeather Saga, Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making, and The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom. Andrew, his wife, Jamie, and their three children live just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, on a wooded hill in a little house they call The Warren. Andrew is the founder of the Rabbit Room community and the bearer of the honorable title of “The Proprietor.”
Pete Peterson, Executive Director and Managing Editor
Pete is the author of the Revolutionary War adventure The Fiddler’s Gun and its sequel Fiddler’s Green as well as a variety of short stories. As a playwright he has published The Battle of Franklin (first produced by Studio Tenn in 2016 and revived in 2017), a stage adaptation of Frankenstein (produced by Studio Tenn in 2018), and The Hiding Place, which received its world premier production from A. D. Players in Houston, Texas in 2019. Among the many strange things he’s been in life are the following: U. S. Marine air traffic controller, television editor, art teacher and boatwright at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, and progenitor of the mysterious Budge-Nuzzard. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Nashville where he is the Executive Director of the Rabbit Room and Managing Editor of Rabbit Room Press.
Andy Patton, Director of Operations
Andy comes to us as a transplant from Greatham, England, where he and his family worked at L’Abri for several years (he was previously transplated to England from Missouri so, sadly, you won’t detect an accent or an unnatural affinity for marmite—okay, that last part isn’t sad). He’s a writer and game designer and an inquisitive, playful, kind, and soft-spoken leader. We are thrilled with his addition to our team and we look forward to the direction and organization that he aims to bring to the Rabbit Room in the years to come.
Christie Bragg, Chief Business Officer
After earning her degree in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University in 1998, Christie Bragg jumped headlong into managing successful Christian folk-rock band Caedmon’s Call. Before long, she was guiding a growing roster of artists who are drawn to her personalized approach and expertise in building momentum across various mediums. Through shepherding and facilitating the execution of ideas, Christie Bragg has helped to grow the careers of more than 15 award-winning artists. By effectively integrating a relational management style, Bragg pushes talents and passions across industry boundaries to establish meaningful, sustaining careers.
Elly Anderson, Membership and Development
When Elly, our Communications Coordinator, isn’t jamming to Taylor Swift or climbing a mountain, she keeps track of members, donors, and finances, in all areas of organizational development. Elly graduated from Wake Forest University, and while Wake Forest is a great place, we’re glad she’s here instead.
Rachel Matar, Hospitality Coordinator
When Rachel was a Physician Assistant practicing in Emergency Medicine, she was named Social Chair of the department. Social Chair of Emergency Departments is not an actual thing, but that didn’t stop her from bringing piñatas to work. Now her position as Hospitality Coordinator for the Rabbit Room involves fewer emergencies but a similar number of piñatas. Rachel fosters relationships with local growers and makers to fill the pantry, plates, and mugs of North Wind Manor. She’s a curator of compound butters, a promoter of Peachapalooza, and will welcome you with a scone whenever you’re in the neighborhood.
Leslie E. Thompson, Press Marketing & Podcast Network Strategy
The Hutchmoot: Homebound website owes its very existence to the whimsical brilliance of Leslie Eiler Thompson. Weilding an array of talents toward co-conspiratorial ends, Leslie designs websites, hosts and produces podcasts, promotes books, and much more—plus she has an excellent sense of humor. Leslie always has a few dozen brilliant ideas up her sleeve, and the Rabbit Room has been made much the better for it.
Rob Wheeler, Community Care & Development
If you’ve spent much time in Nashville, you probably already know Rob Wheeler (seriously, Rob knows everyone, right?). We officially welcomed him to the crew early in 2018 to work in Community Care & Development. He heads up the local Rabbit Room prayer team, develops community relationships and helps out in a variety of other areas. Many of you may know Rob from his work with Friends of L’Abri: Nashville, which he founded and has grown from a small group to a vibrant community. We’re lucky to have him on board.
Our Board
The Rabbit Room is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our board is comprised of a group of multi-talented individuals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the governance of the organization.
Featured
Thank you for visiting.
We hope your interaction with the Rabbit Room is a blessing.
We’re in the middle of a good story, and you’re helping us tell it.