Karen O'Dell (a/k/a "Gerdean") and N. Angus Bowen met on the Internet in 1998. There, on a private list that focused on spiritually progressive, philosophically conservative and socially developmental issues, they were able to observe how the other acted and reacted to topics of interest to them both as well as to the people who espoused those views, including each other's. A mutual appreciation developed, culminating in their marriage and their business partnership in 1999 as O'Dell-Bowen Enterprises.

The basis of their liaison is their appreciation of words -- most specifically "The Word" -- and what power words have in conveying concepts and in encouraging communications …  for understanding, fun and profit. OBE exists to serve "In the Spirit of the Word."