Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan & Amber Lierz.
Hi Ryan & Amber, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Limestone Lodge began as a simple idea to add value to our small-town Main Street. What started as an investment property quickly became a family passion project — and today, it stands as a one-of-a-kind lodging experience. Our beautifully restored historic building now features loft-style, cabin-themed rooms on the main level, complete with log siding walls, exposed timber beam vaulted ceilings, and stone fireplaces. Upstairs, guests can stay in elegant apartment suites that blend rustic wood details with modern comfort.
In 2021, we purchased a 120-year-old two-story building on Sabetha’s historic Main Street. At the time, only the main floor was being used, and the upstairs had long been forgotten. Since we were already interested in an investment property — and were tired of seeing boarded-up windows on our small-town Main Street — we decided to go for it. Our original plan was to remodel the upstairs into apartments and rent the main level to a local small business. But after months without securing a storefront tenant, we took a closer look at the building’s layout and discovered its nearly 16-foot original ceilings. That vertical space opened new possibilities. Loft-style construction suddenly made sense, and from that realization, the idea for cabin-themed loft rentals was born.
With a new vision to revitalize our small slice of downtown, we began extensive renovations in 2022. The entire building was stripped down to the studs and original limestone walls, then completely rebuilt with brand-new plumbing, electrical, windows, doors, walls, and ceilings. This journey was truly a family effort, as we completed much of the work ourselves. Ryan, an engineer with prior construction experience, spent evenings and weekends working on the project after his day job. Amber — a former nurse turned stay-at-home homeschooling mother — coordinated materials, design ideas, and logistics while caring for our four sons. We have poured our hearts, time, and energy into creating something special for downtown Sabetha.
Our goal was never just to renovate a building — it was to create an experience. Each cabin-themed room was designed to feel like a peaceful mountain retreat with cozy tiny-home vibes. The loft-style layouts maximize space to deliver more comfort and character than a traditional hotel room. Our first room, the Cozy Cabin, opened in December 2022 and features a loft queen bed, convertible sofa/bunk bed, and a fully equipped coffee bar with microwave and mini fridge. The larger Comfort Cabin followed in April 2024, offering a tiny-home-style kitchen, loft king bed, Murphy queen bed, and a larger bathroom with a tub-shower. Both cabin rooms showcase log siding walls, exposed rough-sawn beams, vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces, and shiplap bathroom walls.
In January 2025, our upstairs apartment suites opened, providing fully furnished one-bedroom accommodations with open-floor-plan kitchens, fireplaces, and dedicated workspaces suited for both business and extended-stay travelers.
While construction is currently paused, plans are already in place for a third main-level cabin room designed without a loft to provide a more mobility-friendly option for future guests.
We love welcoming guests from near and far — including business travelers, families visiting friends and relatives, wedding guests, and visitors discovering Sabetha for the first time. One of our favorite features is the large guest pin map in the hallway, where visitors mark where they’re from — a growing reminder of how far people travel to experience small-town hospitality.
Limestone Lodge is more than a place to stay. It’s a restoration story, a family effort, and our contribution to keeping downtown Sabetha vibrant and welcoming. We’re grateful for every guest who becomes part of that story with us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely — there were many challenges along the way. We began renovations in 2022, right as post-pandemic supply shortages and inflation were driving construction material costs up dramatically. Prices were changing constantly, lead times were unpredictable, and each design improvement we made — especially the custom cabin-themed features — added complexity and expense beyond standard construction. As our vision evolved, we found ourselves repeatedly revisiting financing plans and working closely with lenders to keep the project moving forward.
We had to be resourceful and persistent with funding, using a mix of traditional loans, refinancing through three different banks, a 401(k) loan, and some short-term credit strategies to bridge gaps. It wasn’t always comfortable, but we believed in the long-term value of what we were building — both for our family and for downtown Sabetha. We still have additional plans for the property, but we’ve intentionally paused further expansion until financing conditions are right. We believe in growing carefully and sustainably, and we’re excited about what’s still ahead.
There were also real personal sacrifices. Ryan works a full-time engineering job that sometimes requires travel, and nearly every evening and weekend outside of that was spent working on the lodge. That meant Amber often carried the full load at home with our four boys while also helping manage design decisions, materials, and logistics for the project. It was a demanding season for our family.
At the same time, some of our favorite memories came out of that busy season. We often had family pizza nights at the lodge, with a movie playing for the little ones while the older boys helped where they could — handing tools, cleaning up, or tackling small tasks alongside us. Those moments reminded us that even though the road was hard, we were building something together. The project demanded a great deal from our family, but it also created shared purpose and lasting memories. Looking back, the challenges make the finished result even more meaningful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ryan works as a Process Controls Engineer for Coperion Process Solutions in Sabetha, Kansas. In this role, he designs, programs, and supports automated control systems used to operate industrial equipment and processes, primarily within the bulk material handling and pneumatic conveying industries. The position includes approximately 15% travel, supporting projects and commissioning activities at customer sites around the world. In addition to his full-time engineering career, Ryan continues to oversee maintenance and ongoing improvements at Limestone Lodge.
Amber is a former nurse turned stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to our four boys, and she plays a huge role behind the scenes at Limestone Lodge.
She manages many of the day-to-day operational details — from preparing rooms and coordinating supplies to communicating with guests and making sure every stay feels welcoming and comfortable. Balancing family life, homeschooling, and the lodge hasn’t always been easy, but her attention to detail and hospitality mindset are a big part of what makes Limestone Lodge feel like home to visitors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.limestonelodgesabetha.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limestonelodge_sabetha/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimestoneLodgeSabetha/
