John Ressler is a former dairy farmer, brick mason, and Bible college graduate who is currently a master stair builder and has an unquenchable obsession with guitars and other stringed instruments.  A partner at Designed Stairs, he has designed and built high end luxury stairs for 33 years in the Chicago area. When not building stairs, John tends his apple orchard, mows grass, and builds high end guitars for many talented musicians. John has taught this fine art to nearly 300 first time instrument builders. He is the author of the book Pickin’ Stick: Building a Stringed Instrument. He resides in Sandwich, Illinois with his wife Roberta, who is also an avid supporter of all the above activities.