Rick Ward was a caretaker of Sugar Hollow in the early years. He owns and runs the Blue Ridge Kung Fu Institute in Boone, NC. He is one of the world masters in his craft, with experience in the Philippines and in teaching throughout the southeast. Rick's family arrived in the Boone area prior to 1785 and melded with the Cherokees there. His family has a rich tradition of crafting instruments and playing a wide assortment of mountain music.