44 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Late Summer 2018 TheCoastalBend.com 44 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Early Summer 2018 TheCoastalBend.com The completion of a beautiful, new roof atop the Bepko home has given the family hope that they will soon return to a place that is better than be- fore Harvey. As the next round of subcontractors are lined up by Brandon Bepko, acting as his own general contractor, the family is making decisions about the design and look of their new environ- ment. Much of the living space has been recon- figured to make better sense for their lifestyle, and so that they can better enjoy the wonderful island surroundings of which their three-story perch provides such magnificent views. Code changes that have been enacted since the house was built in the mid-1990’s have required a redesign of the exterior staircase, which will allow for a new, mini-balcony outside the home’s second floor—one with an awesome little view of the Gulf of Mexico! The new design also calls for repositioning of the home’s bedrooms, much to the delight of Bepko boys and parents alike. Upgrades to the kitchen are required, as 20th Century, vacation-home style appliances, cabi- nets, counters and sinks will be replaced by mod- ern components that will make everyday life that much more enjoyable for the family—especially the assigned chef of the day! Like anyone remodeling and upgrading a home, even if forced to do so by an epic natural disaster, the Bepko’s have become experts in seemingly- obscure topics like flooring and back splash tile, drywall surfaces, insulation options, roofing and framing fasteners (aka nails), plumbing home infrastructure, architectural processes—oh, and permitting. Yes, The Permitting. A procedure that one might expect would require little more than a signature or two and a check, but that in reality is a discipline requiring a vast depth of techni- cal, procedural and political expertise. It can be a cobweb of dead ends, rabbit holes and tests of will that have broken the spirit of many a sturdy man—especially in Port A. But taking it step-by-step, with respites for men- tal serenity in lieu of physical expressions of great anger and sadness, Brandon Bepko made it through the permitting process for the rebuilding of his family’s home—and now he is an expert, an unwilling one, but an expert nonetheless. As you read this, Port A Rebuild has taken the next encouraging steps that will lead to the Bep- ko’s finally living the dream they never thought they would have—going home. We will continue to bring you their journey in our Fall edition.