I had not planned on going. The invitation had come weeks earlier from the local arts council, asking if I would be willing to speak about the boutique’s work with traditional artisans. Before I could even reply, Julian had already said yes — not for me, but for himself. It was the first time he had agreed to speak publicly about what we had built together.

When he told me, I was surprised. Julian was not the kind of man who enjoyed standing in front of a room and delivering prepared ...