Evans, IE 89, wanted "rustic" — and she got it. After nearly six months to complete the sale, she was the owner of Fondo de Teglie, a dilapidated, abandoned farmhouse, stable and two outbuildings in the region of Umbria.

While the villa was being gutted in early 2004, Evans was traveling between continents. Inducted into Georgia Tech's Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni in 2001, Evans directs business development in Europe and Africa for California-based Savi Networks, which markets technology to track containerized cargo from the port of origin to port of destination.

Throughout the wiring, plumbing, plastering and painting projects, Evans tried to retain as much of the 17th century house as she could. The kitchen is now big, airy and modern, but original stone and wood beams are still visible.

The annex, really more of a stable when Evans bought the property, was converted into a one-bedroom apartment with fully appointed kitchen to serve as her private quarters.

Her attention to detail has helped Evans balance her responsibilities with Savi Networks and her new job managing the rental of the villa through a company she named Il Gusto del Paese — a taste of the country. She also maintains a Web site, www.ilgustodelpaese.com.

Guests can dine al fresco around the original wood-burning oven, lounge by the pool or wander the villa's six acres scattered with olive and cypress trees and a hedgerow of lavender. She is helped by three gardeners, two housekeepers and a cook. Evans also has a local woman who will conduct cooking classes at Fondo de Teglie if desired. Wine tastings can be arranged as well.

Visitors can stay connected to home via high-speed Internet access and satellite TV. Evans also can arrange car service from the airport in Rome two hours away, provide suggested itineraries, hand out maps to Assisi an hour away and recommend restaurants in nearby Todi.

"There are four bedrooms and four baths in the house. I typically say I can accommodate eight to 10 comfortably. I do have a loft that sleeps two children and I have a sofa bed," she says, pointing out that the villa is only booked to one group at a time, whether it's a party of two or 10.

She notes that Fondo de Teglie was booked 15 weeks in 2005, 22 this year, despite the fact that she does little advertising. Time seems to stand still in Umbria, but word spreads.

©2006 Georgia Tech Alumni Association