After careful consideration and review of your application, the AIT would like to formally invite you to join our 2017 program.
As you know, this prestigious program is offered to a select group of artists who show accomplishments in areas of not only academia but also community. Your background and references are exactly in line with the type of individual we’d like to have join us.
In the coming days, we will be sending extensive information on the next steps, including location assignments.
Congratulations, and we look forward to having you become a member of our team of esteemed artists.
Sincerely,
The AIT Acceptance Board
I have to read through it twice to truly understand the words.
“She duped you, too,” Logan accurately guesses.
“Why?” I look at him, trying to calm the thundering in my chest. “And how do you have this?”
“I made a few calls. My suspicions were nagging at me nonstop. Something wasn’t right. Every time I asked her about this, she somehow blew me off, never wanting to discuss the importance of planning. I started to get worried that they’d rejected her, so I did something I swore I’d never do. I decided to intervene.”
“Intervene how?”
“I called the board, explaining I was a reference and she still hadn’t heard back.”
“And they sent you this?”
“They didn’t have to. This woman told me they were so disappointed Grace decided not to join them. She told me they were leaving a space open, in hopes she changed her mind before the deadline.”
“Logan, I’m going to need you to spit this out. Tell me what I’m supposed to catch onto here. There has to be some mix-up.”
“Keep reading.” He points to the stack in my hands.
I do as he says, my eyes skimming through each page, noticing for the first time these are Grace’s personal emails.
Miss Monroe,
We’ve had quite an interest in your skills from each of our instructors. After careful consideration of your personal interests, we’ve decided to send you to work with a group in Seattle, Washington.
More details are attached to this email. We look forward to hearing back from you.
The next few pages outline a syllabus of learning techniques, schedules, and lodging recommendations in Seattle.
There’s another email.
Miss Monroe,
After several emails and voice messages, we’ve yet to hear back from you regarding your acceptance. Please confirm receipt of offer letter and assignment status.
We anxiously await to hear you’re joining us on January 7th, 2017.
My own confusion sets in. Why hasn’t Grace responded to them? And better yet, why didn’t she tell me? My questions are answered as I flip to the last piece of paper.
Dear AIT Acceptance Board,
Thank you for your consideration into this elite and esteemed program, with the chance to work under some of the most respected mentors in my field. This is an opportunity of a lifetime that I deeply cherish.
With that being said, it is with great regret that I decline. This was not an easy decision, as I’ve loved art all my life. However, I’ve learned timing is everything. And the time is not right for me.
Please understand that I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and know your acceptance is the greatest and highest recognition I’ve ever received.