Sister Geri Near began religious life teaching math in grade school, moved into bookkeeping at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Mich., and then became secretary to the Detroit Regional Community. After a total of 39 years in these ministries which demanded precision, she asked for a sabbatical. "The sabbatical moved me into my artistic period," she said. "On a retreat, art started to 'joggle' in my mind, so I asked Sister Cheryl Phillips, an artist, if she would teach me. If I make a fool of myself, it's just the two of us."