There was a picture of Christine, too -- also about a decade younger. It was before she went health conscious -- way before she went health crazy -- and she looked so young. So happy. She was standing with the three kids hanging off her like she was a jungle gym. They were in the backyard during some barbecue. Everyone smiling so wide.

James was sitting in a big, ergonomic leather chair behind a large wooden desk. His computer screen glowed bluish over everything. There was a TV on the far wall. A fish tank to the one side. Rows of bookshelves with titles like, "Winning Marketing" and "Leading the...