Cari Horning spreads the word

QUINCY - Cari Horning says she was a loyal customer and fan of Cave B Inn at Sagecliffe, even before she was hired as a sales manager there earlier this month.

Horning previously worked as a sales representative for Reebok and Nike from her George home.

She's continued working from home for Cave B and also travels throughout the region for her new corporate sales position.

Cave B is about 10 minutes from home, even if she must "drag" herself to a workplace most people could only dream of.

Cave B was named one of Washington state's top 20 luxury hotels by Washington CEO magazine.

Instead of a typical office with four walls, Horning sees breathtaking scenery of the Columbia River, a swimming pool, driving range, tall basalt cliffs and a vineyard.

"I love working with people," she said. "It's really great working for a local company like this."

Horning's work involves filling the facility, which includes overnight accommodations for guests, a wine tasting area, a restaurant, swimming pool and meeting areas for businesses.

Meetings aren't restricted to businesses, though. People can meet for fun and a book club recently gathered at Cave B, she added.

Historically, Cave B has been used as a meeting place for businesses interested in building area data centers and local agricultural businesses, she said.

The business can provide meals for the groups and the largest meeting room can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Other sales managers at Cave B have different specialties, such as weddings, she explained.

During a recent sales manager meeting, Horning learned about the team spirit at her new workplace.

"Everyone's committed to helping each other succeed," she said.

Horning has lived in Grant County since 1985, when she moved to the area as a teenager with her family.

She knows plenty of people, but is continuing to make business contacts through chamber of commerce activities in Quincy, Horning noted.

She's also reconnecting with former work contacts like Microsoft and Nike for her new job, Horning explained.

Travel is also part of her work for Cave B. She recently spent two days in Moses Lake and plans to visit Wenatchee and work her way south to the Tri-Cities.

She's working to educate people that Cave B is available.

"It's an incredible venue with a lot of opportunities," she noted. Cave B is located centrally in the state and it's right off the Interstate 90, Horning said.

"It's just so stunning," she said.

Artists have worked on the property and there have been musical events there too.

The business has also offered activities like wine tasting and yoga, which was featured in the October edition of Sunset magazine, she explained.

Joe France, Cave B tasting room manager, pointed out the lack of distractions for someone who has work to do. He called the business "a totally different kind of getaway."

Cave B is the only business in the state with a spa, restaurant, lodging and a winery, France noted.

Alternative country singer Kristen Ward will perform at Cave B on Nov. 14. For more information, call 509-785-3500.

In December, Cave B is offering a holiday party special where there's no banquet room rental fee for groups. For more information, call 509-398-1854.