Anchored in the powerful and poetic lines of Psalm 139, each chapter of The Welcome Desk pairs a verse from King David’s psalm with a day in the life of Earl and Jacob. Through comforting words, unexpected laughter, and Spirit-led conversations, these men offer something far beyond visitor badges and directions: they offer hope.
As they guide patients, families, and hospital staff through the sterile hallways of uncertainty, they bring warmth, wisdom, and the occasional divine appointment. Along the way, we learn their backstories—how they lived, how they loved, how they suffered, and how God led them, every step of the way.
Because sometimes the most important healing doesn’t happen in an operating room. Sometimes it begins with a smile and a kind word at the Welcome Desk.
Mark Molinoff is a licensed acupuncturist and novelist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife, Jinmei Xu, and their son, Leo. Since founding Raleigh Acupuncture Associates in 2005, Mark and Jinmei have dedicated their work to helping patients heal through acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. When he’s not treating patients, Mark enjoys playing pickleball with his wife and crafting novels that explore themes of healing, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape our lives.