About
Discover the heart behind Saving Black Beak and learn about Rickye Heffner’s inspiring journey from neuroscience professor to author of stories. Explore her world and the lessons of resilience and kindness.
Celebrating the Courage and Spirit of Rural Life
Rickye Heffner, a professor of neuroscience turned author, spent decades writing for the scientific community. Now, in her new role as a storyteller, Rickye draws inspiration from the life surrounding her—a life she encountered when she moved to a small ranch in Kansas to be closer to nature and her grandchildren.
From her quiet farm in the heart of Kansas, Rickye found herself marveling at the perseverance of farm families, especially the children. She witnessed them growing up with immense self-reliance, respect, and a sense of duty—values that aren’t always seen in modern life. It was these qualities that inspired her to write Saving Black Beak, sharing the determination and compassion she observed in the people and animals of farm country.
Through her writing, Rickye pays tribute to the enduring lessons of the land. In Saving Black Beak, she gives readers an intimate view of a rural life full of strength, tenderness, and the unbreakable bond between a little girl and her beloved goose.