In the quiet desert community of Kayenta, the labyrinth had long been a place of spiritual healing, drawing visitors from far and wide to its winding paths nestled among the red rocks. For locals, it was a sacred space where many found solace and connection, a symbol of the natural beauty and tranquility that defined their homes. When a sudden mudslide buried the labyrinth under layers of earth in September 2014, the community felt the loss deeply. Among those affected were Kendra and Matthew Koehler, who had been captivated by the labyrinth’s serene beauty. They planned to get married in the labyrinth and celebrate later that night at Xetava.

As the date approached, Kendra arrived to find the labyrinth she had envisioned for her wedding day submerged under mud and debris. Despair set in as she feared her carefully planned ceremony was ruined. But the people of Kayenta, recognizing the significance of the labyrinth, and spurred on by Xetava owner, Greg Federman, rallied together to restore it. Leading the charge were Matt and Nikki MacKay, Kendra’s lifelong friends, who played a crucial role in uncovering the buried paths. In a show of solidarity, Matt and Nikki, along with other friends, neighbors, and wedding guests, slowly brought the labyrinth back to life, ensuring that Kendra and Matthew could exchange their vows in the place that had come to mean so much to them.

Now, ten years later, Matt and Nikki MacKay, along with their business partners Wendy and Jason Lewis, split their time between homes in Draper and Ivins. After a chance meeting with Greg Federman during the opening of Rusted Cactus, everything came full circle. This encounter led the MacKays and Lewises to embark on a new journey, bringing nearly a decade of restaurant experience at The Cliff Dining Pub and Cultivate Craft Kitchen, in Draper, Utah, to Southern Utah as the new owners of Xetava and Rusted Cactus. Their deep connection to the community, combined with the shared history of restoring the labyrinth, has inspired them to build businesses that embody the spirit of resilience and collaboration—qualities that once saved Kendra and Matthew’s wedding day. Together, they continue to contribute to the vibrant, close-knit community that Kayenta has always been.