Nestled in the picturesque village of Wimberley, Texas is an amazing woman running an amazing company. Jane Andrews and her husband, Neil Kellen, are the owners of Rainstar Ranch, a 25-acre slice of Hill Country heaven. It is also the home of Rainstar Ranch Western Wear, a thriving business centered on the philosophy that women can be gorgeous, courageous, successful and romantic all at the same time.

“Our mission is to provide timeless, unique, elegant Western wear to strong, independent women. We strive to help women achieve a positive self-image and allow them the confidence and comfort they need to express who they are to the world.” Jane believes that women of all walks of life will find something in her line. In designing her Web site, she hired real women to model the clothes. She says, “I will always be focused on working with women who have a diverse background. Most women these days wear many different hats in life and that is what I admire. I provide clothing choices that should take a woman to work, to dinner, on her errands … wherever she needs to go, and she will look fantastic and be comfortable.”

Having a diverse background sums Jane up in a nutshell — there is truly nothing that she won’t try. She will say that her confidence and fearlessness came from her strong upbringing. Jane’s family has owned an old homestead in Dunlap Hollow, Wisconsin, for generations and remembers being told, “Work hard and do it right” — whether she was cleaning the chicken coop or barrel racing on her favorite horse. Her parents were staunch, driven, loving, honest German people. Her mother had a love and appreciation for beautiful things and taught Jane to be her best at all times. Her father had a love for animals (especially horses) and the outdoors, taking Jane fishing and hunting, teaching her to be a rugged independent woman. They also taught her high moral standards and expected near perfection from Jane. This drive has taken Jane on many different paths in life — and makes Jane one of the most interesting people to talk to.

You might never guess it, sitting next to her in her blue jeans, rhinestone belt, and cowboy boots, but her formal name is Dr. Jane C. Andrews, specializing in reproductive biology. She started a research lab in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, worked with the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, and is a contract Senior Scientist with NASA now working on Earth-based satellite applications. Her beautiful turquoise earrings and chiffon blouse don’t let on that she also has a second-degree black belt in karate and once owned her own karate-training hall. She is one tough cookie wrapped in a beautiful package — and that’s how she likes it. “I want other women to have access to gorgeous clothes so that they can express their feminine side no matter what their job is or what hobbies they are interested in.”

Rainstar Ranch was born on the night of hurricane Katrina. Jane and Neil evacuated New Orleans and arrived on their newly purchased ranch in Wimberley with their two horses, three dogs, and three cats. It was nearly midnight and their first impression was of the vast sky, windy and silent, stretching away under the millions of twinkling stars. “It looked like the stars were raining down on us. It was the storm of our lives, but we landed safe and sound in Texas. It was at that moment that I decided to pursuit my next dream. Is there a better place in the world to start a Western wear company than the Hill Country in Texas? I don’t think so.” Jane has found an unmistakable kinship with the resilient, larger-than-life women of Texas and has been welcomed with open arms. “Like the slogan says, I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!” With the unwavering help of her husband, Neil, an accomplished CFO, Jane has put Rainstar Ranch on the map. Her line can be seen at www.rainstarranch.com