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who later studied agricultural engineering at UC Davis where the family lived for four years.) Back in Mexico, Sandra became a certified public accountant, got a master's degree in Mexican taxation, and became a professor of accounting and taxation at her alma mater, a private university. Henny, whose last name "Uijl" means "owl" in Dutch, moved to San Diego from the Netherlands in 1980. He has a master's degree in floriculture and ran flower farms in Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Rosarito Beach. When Sandra's father wanted to add flowers to his export business, Henny brought product in refrigerated trucks to Mexico, and later asked Sandra to be his tour guide. It was soon a "marriage made in agriculture heaven," she says with a laugh. She moved to the United States, where the couple raised a blended family of four boys, now all in their thirties. Sandra had a high profile career in finance before retiring to devote more time to her family and philanthropy. Her husband and son, Edgar, now produce informercials. Longtime residents of Rancho Santa Fe, Henny plays golf at the local club, and the couple frequents Lilian's at e Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Mille Fleurs, Nick and G's, and e Bistro. OPPOSITE LEFT Sandra and Henny den Uijl attend the 43rd Annual San Diego Nice Guys event where Sandra was honored as the 2023 "Nice Guy of the Year" OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT The dining room, which seats 14, is decorated with Mexican art by Sergio Bustamante, a statue of archangel Michael by Aram Cortez, and the treasured family Bible OPPOSITE BOTTOM RIGHT The front entry opens onto the grand room with a player piano and Henny's "pride and joy," an antique cabinet filled with a collection of special tequilas in handcrafted bottles TOP LEFT Sandra loves to cook Mexican dishes in the large kitchen with its marble counters, custom cabinetry, and Wolfe appliances BOTTOM LEFT The wine room has a collection of tequila in colorful bottles, and a section for both red and white wines BELOW The breakfast room overlooks the patio and pool BOTTOM Above the fireplace in the grand room is a portrait of Sandra wearing her wedding gown, a wedding gift from Henny @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2024 97