Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On November 7, 2002 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "twenty years ago, Kyoki [the name she chose for herself, meaning strong or courageous life force] and her husband owned an organic hog farm in Nebraska. She was introduced to Buddhism while subsequently going through a divorce and being involved in mediations between farmers and government.  She returned to Pittsburgh three years ago, opening the Zen Center in 2000. The Zen Center is the former home of her aunt, Mary Roberts, and her late husband, Steele. Then it was known as Thirsty Hill, for its lack of a good well, but Kyoki renamed it Deep Springs.