Leadership Team
Mark Froese,
President & Co-Director
Mark Froese grew up in Canada near Detroit and earned a degree in Computer Science. He began his career at the H. J. Heinz Company, where he worked for five years before serving with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and Mercy Ships, supporting their operations as a computer and phone technician both in Texas and aboard ship.
During his time with YWAM, Mark met his wife, Traci. They began their life together in Sparks, Nevada, where they raised two children. After 26 years of service with the State of Nevada, Mark transitioned into his current role as Operations Manager at a local private school, where he also occasionally taught. Mark has also been actively involved in his local church, serving in a variety of roles including small group leader, elder, teacher, and safety team member. He and Traci have been married for over 30 years and are proud parents of two adult children, and two fun-loving doodles.
Now fully invested in the mission of Whispering Pines, he brings his wealth of experience in operations and leadership to help shape the future of this vital ministry
Susan Zecher,
Treasurer
Susan Zecher is a seasoned business owner with over 30 years of experience in Bookkeeping, accounting and customer service. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing from California State University, Chico and an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Foothill Junior College. She worked at a large church in the Sparks area overseeing the finances for over 10 years.
Susan and her husband, Jim, are empty nesters and have been married for 41 years. In her free time she likes to spend time with family and friends.
John Busch,
Co-Spiritual Director
John Busch is a man of many interests, who loves reading, woodworking, gardening, exploring the outdoors, and fly fishing. He has also recently begun to pursue art. But his greatest passion, together with his wife Elaine, has been ministering healing to the wounds of people's souls for nearly 40 years. It is his deep desire to help people find freedom, joy and inner peace by learning to develop a deep, abiding relationship with Christ.
After leaving behind a career as a geologist, John pursued a M. S. degree in Biblical Counseling, and he and his wife currently serve together as Pastors of Soul Care and Inner Healing at Outlook Church in Reno, Nevada.
John Wang,
Board Member & Advisor
John Wang has been involved in different church and mission roles over the years, including trips to Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He enjoys being part of faith communities and giving back where he can.
He works at Morgan Stanley as a Senior Portfolio Management Director, helping clients manage their investments. Before that, John worked in tech and earned his MBA from Santa Clara University.
John met Sandra at UC Berkeley over 30 years ago. They live in Reno with their three kids and two dogs - and the family volunteer as puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Bill Shein,
Vice-President
Bill Schein and his bride of 30 years, Shelley, live in Sparks, Nevada, where they’ve built a life grounded in faith and service. A devoted husband, father, and ministry leader, Bill is passionate about encouraging others and sharing Christ’s love both locally and globally.
With over 20 years of missionary and professional travel, Bill brings a global perspective to his calling. He has served on his local church’s Men’s Ministry Lead Team and now serves nationally on the Executive Committee for Soulcon Men’s Ministry, equipping men to live with bold, intentional faith.
Traci Froese,
Co-Director
Affectionately known as Nona to many, Traci brings food, love, and nurturing to the bodies, souls, and spirits of everyone who visits Whispering Pines. With over three decades of experience in full-time ministry and missions, she is a wellspring of wisdom, compassion, and leadership—shaping the heart and soul of the retreat.
Traci currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Outlook Christian Church. She holds a Master Certification in Life Coaching, along with multiple certifications in wellness, addiction recovery coaching, and biblical counseling.
She and her husband Mark have been married for over 30 years. Together, they have two adult children and share their home with three delightfully goofy Doodles.
Elaine Busch,
Co-Spiritual Director
Elaine Busch has been involved in healing prayer ministry since 1998. She has been equipped in prayer ministry through Theophostic training, completed the four levels of the School of Healing Prayer taught by Francis and Judith MacNutt, and in 2008 received a certificate in Spiritual Direction through the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs.
Her interest in spiritual direction and healing prayer came out of her own journey in a healing community. In a safe, supportive environment, she was encouraged to explore the challenges, losses and disappointments in her life. Through that experience she began to see the intense amount of pain all carry and began sharing the redemptive news in Luke 4:18 that Jesus came to "heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
Together with her husband John of 50+ years, Elaine is a soul care pastor at Outlook Christian Church in Reno. When she is not meeting with others in soul care, she can be found reading, sewing special clothing items for herself and family members, or baking healthy treats.
Sandra Wang,
Board Member & Advisor
Sandra Wang cares deeply about helping faith communities grow in love, connection, and wholeness. and grateful for mentors and ministries shaping her spiritual formation over the years.
She currently helps out at Outlook Christian Church on the board and prayer team.
By day, Sandra leads a team at Morgan Stanley supporting families with financial and legacy planning as a Senior Vice-President.
Sandra is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with graduate degrees in psychology and an MBA from Spain as a Fulbright Scholar.
When she’s not working, Sandra loves exploring the trails around Reno with her two dogs—a chocolate lab and a golden retriever. She’s traveled to more than 55 countries and is always learning something new along the way. She and her husband John have been married for over 22 years and still make a great team in both life and work.