'Like a treehouse with wonderful amenities': Treetop Retreat is a getaway in Brown County

On a grey November day in 2017, Christina Rhoads Lauchli took one look at the view from the hillside property in Brown County and made up her mind. “It just took my breath away,” she says.

Christina was searching for a project she could do with her mother, Sandy Rhoads. A peaceful getaway where guests could enjoy Brown County beauty and step away from an often-stressful world was her goal.

“I was hoping for a way for my mother to be close to me, work a little on something she would enjoy and also be able to semi-retire,” Christina says.

With the purchase of the site named Treetop Retreat because of that lovely view, Christina’s dream was realized. “My mother helped so much. She planted lavender in the gardens and helped me make beds and do lots and lots of laundry,” Christina says.

That mother/daughter dream was halted when Christina’s mother was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer in 2020. “She passed away at the end of 2022 and a big void was left,” Christina says.

Less than a year later, Christina’s father and grandmother also died. “Suddenly, I felt like my foundation was shaken,” she says. “It was so intense to lose so much and I doubt I could have gotten through it without my wonderful husband, Mark, and siblings and friends and so many beautiful Treetop guests and helpers.”

Magical comfort in a difficult time

During this difficult time, “something magical happened. In fact, it’s been happening from almost the beginning,” Christina says. “The kindest, most good-hearted people come to stay at Treetop. They get married here. They bring all their laughter and happiness and just make me feel so incredibly full. It’s like there’s this invisible force-field around Treetop and only people with good intentions can find us.”

Perched atop one of the highest hills in Brown County, Treetop Retreat is located 3 miles north of Nashville on Whippoorwill Lane. Situated on nearly 12 acres of forested hills on a dead-end country road, the boutique inn includes The Treetop Suite, The Garden Suite, The Lodge at Treetop Retreat and Abe’s Cabin vacation rentals.

All four of Treetop’s suites have private back decks with magnificent views of Brown County’s fabled hills. “Treetop Retreat is a little like a treehouse but with wonderful amenities like fireplaces and spa tubs,” Christina says.

After purchasing the property, Christina and crew spent years doing major remodeling. “We have replaced roofs, siding, flooring, added new decks, planted trees, fixed major foundation issues - the list is long and ongoing,” she says.

“Our objective while updating Treetop has been to use sustainable materials such as vinyl planks made from recycled plastic bottles, heat pump furnaces, water-saving commodes and lots of antique and repurposed furniture,” Christina says. “During our remodeling journey, we have always tried to incorporate some of Brown County’s quirky charm in all our choices.”

Retreat offers quirky charms

For example, The Lodge was originally built as a recording studio. “Hundreds of radio jingles were recorded here in the 70s and 80s and it is rumored that John Mellencamp recorded an early single here as well. Plus, lots of bluegrass bands would cut a record after playing concerts at Bill Monroe Music Center just up the road from Treetop,” Christina says.

One of the oldest newest additions to Treetop is Abe’s Cabin. Built in 1885 in northern Brown County, the cabin was disassembled and brought to its current location on Whippoorwill Lane in the 1970s and added onto for more guest rooms.

“The original one-room cabin was home to a family of eight and was complete with two rifle ports,” Christina says. “Brown County is full of some unique characters, some fictional, some not, and so, as a nod to writer Kin Hubbard we named our cabin after his character Abe.”

After renovations and additions, Abe’s Cabin is just over 1,200 square feet. “While still full of the charm of a bygone era, Abe’s Cabin has all the lovely amenities for a cozy getaway,” Christina says.

The ground floor Whippoorwill Suite at Abe’s Cabin offers a king bed and private bath as well as a spa tub. A loft has a queen bed and private reading nook with beautiful views of the hills. The cabin has a full kitchen, spa tub and fireplace, a private front porch with rocking chairs and a back deck with grill, chairs and a table.

“Abe’s Cabin is the perfect spot for a couple to ‘nest’ for a quiet retreat, or for two couples or a small family to spread out and have their own bedrooms and bathrooms,” Christina says.

Along the way, Christina had the property rezoned to host small weddings. “In 2019, my husband, Mark Lauchli, and I were the first to get married in the outdoor wedding venue, and since then we have been lucky enough to host some truly unique and beautiful weddings.”

Brown County has many attractions that bring visitors, Christina says. “Brown County offers so much nature. There are thousands of acres of state and federal land, and locally preserved land. The hiking, biking and kayaking options are endless. In a state known for flat farmland, Brown County offers rugged beauty that seems to wake up something in all of us.”

The natural beauty is what has inspired generations of artists to make their homes in Brown County, Christina says. “From T.C. Steele to our modern-day artists and artisans, Brown County and Nashville attract interesting people. Today, there are great places to eat, shop and stay so it’s kind of a perfect little getaway.”

Growing up in Brown County

Although she was born in Indianapolis, Christina came to Brown County as a child with her parents. “My parents were OG (original) hippies – growing organic fruits and vegetables, homeschooling their children and homesteading in the rugged hills of Brown County,” Christina says.

Studying English and Fine Arts at Indiana University, Christina managed an International Arabian breeding farm for over 10 years in Bloomington, while working on her first two novels – “Wild Horse Wild Heart” and “Under the Mountain Stars” - which were published in 2018 and 2019.

Christina’s next two novels are scheduled for 2025 and 2026. “Meeting new people every day at Treetop sparks my imagination, and while my next two novels are peopled with fictional characters, I love hearing life stories from Treetop guests,” Christina says.

As a life-long horse lover, Christina has spent most of the last two decades training horses around the country. She’s lived in Pennsylvania and Florida but keeps coming back to this special part of Indiana. Adding to the loss of her mother, father and grandmother, Christina’s favorite horse died in 2023. Having Treetop and its guests along with family and friends helped her deal with the many losses.

“I’d like to send a big ‘thank you’ to all the people who have stayed with us over the last six years or let us host their wedding or recommended Treetop to their friends and family. We have had our challenges to be sure, but truly we’re so blessed to have such wonderful guests,” Christina says.

“Because of all these kind and lovely people, I’m able to live my dream, the American dream. I came from very modest means, and so to have a business of my own and to have such amazing interactions with thousands of people every year is truly a blessing.”

For more information about Treetop Retreat: Visit www.treetopbrowncounty.com

For more information about Christina’s novels: Visit www.christinarhoads.com

Reach Jackie Finch at JackieSFinch@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Treetop Retreat in Brown County offers 12 acres of forested hills