What is 2-IC? - In short, it's my small, freelance web & graphics business, born in the middle of the night under the influence of too much work and not near enough sleep.  Which is how a lot of my 'good' ideas arise.

     More about the name later.  First, a bit about my background; I am part of our family's cattle ranching operation in Kansas.  As the ranch grew in size and scope, so did the need to present ourselves in a professional way and on a shoe-string budget.  Incidentally, I am also nothing if not tenacious.  If I suspect it can be done, I'll work at it until I've got it.  Which gives rise to the part in the first line about it being the middle of the night!  Well, with the help of a computer, soon I was producing catalogs and advertising for our ranch's seedstock business, some examples of which are listed in my portfolio. 

     Not long after realizing I had a knack for and enjoyed desktop publishing, I worked at getting a website up.  After doing the site for a number of years and helping a couple of folks with some ads, it was suggested to me that a small business would be a good idea.  Hmm... but what would I call it?

     Now the part about the name; one night after finishing our ranch's Production Sale catalog at some un-Godly hour in the AM, I turned to my best friend and sale partner, Mary Ann Kniebel, and remarked, "Pretty good for 2 Idiots and a Computer!"  That cracked us up and I figured I now had a name for my fledgling business.

     While the name may be tongue-in-cheek, I am very serious about my work.  If I take on a job, you can be assured that I will work until I have everything 'just right.'  I say "if I take on a job" because it's my pledge I will not take on more than I can handle.  In that way, I make sure that my customers are getting the best, most timely service possible.  Out of date sites are my pet peeve, so updates will be prompt.  Just like in our seedstock business, I'm not happy until you're happy.

Services Offered by 2-IC and Portfolio Links

• Websites - Sites heavy on special effects are NOT my forte.  However, if you want a well-thought out, fast-loading, visually-pleasing site that will appear correctly over a broad range of browsers and operating systems, then I'm your man (well, I mean "lady").  As I said, I am a stickler for getting things 'just right!'  This page is purposefully very simple and designed to give you an overview of my work.  Here are a couple of more in-depth sites to look at:

  • Downey Ranch, Inc. - the start of it all!

  • Ranchland Trust of Kansas - "To Preserve Kansas' and Open Spaces for Future Generations Through the Conservation of Working Landscapes"

  • Mission Valley Ranch - An Angus seedstock operation out of Topeka, KS

  • Poland Angus - An Angus seedstock operation in Isabel, KS

  • The British Ranch - Guest house venture at Downey Ranch.

  • Tom Moxley for 68th District - I had a complete site up during the 2006 campaign for the KS House of Representatives race.  Tom has since elected to just keep a home page with updates during the legislative session.

  • Michaelis Show Cattle - A club calf operation in Paxico, KS.

  • Oleen Brothers - A Hereford/Angus seedstock ranch in Dwight, KS

  • Walking Turtle Studio - An art gallery in Maple Hill, KS featuring local KS artists.

• Photos - I've become reasonably adept at touching up photos, especially cattle.  While I will NOT alter the physical characteristics of an animal, I can adjust exposures, color and get rid of inappropriate fence posts in the background, other animals, debris, etc.  Click here for some before and after shots.

• Desktop Publishing - I've done advertising, catalogs and directories, examples of which follow:

  • Advertising work which appears in an easy to navigate photo gallery format.

  • A program for the 2006 Wab. Co. Fair Horse Show.

  • Our 2006 Production Sale catalog  - WARNING, large file (2MB) suitable for high speed user's only.  There are smaller chunks available at the Downey Ranch website by clicking here.

  • Logo creation - I've created the logo for 2-IC and the tooled leather logo for our ranch.

Customer Feedback

• From website customer Mission Valley Ranch:  "(This experience) has proved to us that we needed your professional expertise --we are EXTREMELY PLEASED!  -The Hogues"

• From website customer Michaelis Show Cattle:  "I think every thing looks great.  I've had several people look at the web site and are impressed.  Ryan Michaelis."  After requesting an update to his site, Ryan had this to say, "Barb, You are very quick and good. Looks just great. Thanks, Ryan"

• From website customer, Oleen Brothers: "...I wanted you to know how fabulous I think our site is!! I really like it, so sharp and usable. The guys are so pleased and proud of it. Hope your business goes very well...Jeanie Oleen"

• Also from Oleen Brothers (there are multiple families in this operation) "Thanks Barb, You did a great job this year, we really appreciate it. I've still got more pictures I want to put on the web site when I get time. I'm sure it made us money.  Arden"

• From Publishing Customer, Kim Harms:  "Hi Barb, Mark just came in and I showed him the cover you did with the picture.... he REALLY liked it!! I guess that does it... it's a go...I can't thank you enough, I really like the way it's turning out."

Costs - Website design is generally by the page ($100/straightforward page) while maintenance is by the hour ($40/hour).  Hosting packages are available starting at $10/month ($120/yr).  Graphics work is by the hour also ($40/hour).  Prices quoted here are estimates only and can vary by the complexity of a project.  Please contact me (by phone or e-mail) for a bid.  Thanks!