Her second year of college she transferred to Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in Spokane Washington. Here she met a nun, Sister Paula Mary Turnbull, who taught sculpture. Deborah received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a Fine Art major following study in Italy where her passion for sculpture came alive. At 19, she sculpted her first commissioned bronze for the city of Spokane, James Glover. She successfully owned and operated her own business Classic Interiors; an experience that honed her business skills. Despite her success in the business world, the horses called... She and her brother loaded their horses and left Washington to compete in the winter rodeo circuit. During this stay she went to Prescott and met Ernie Phippen who ran a western art foundry. Her world came together. She went back home gathered her belongings and returned to Prescott to get a job as a head wrangler in a dude ranch. That year she cast her first bronze... and started her art career.