better together
MINDFUL
CONNECTIONS
FOR MODERN
TIMES
Free to join • Private network • Thoughtful introductions when aligned
We help thoughtful, kind humans expand their relational range —
so they can build the partnership they actually want.
Dating today can feel like swiping, guessing, or going it alone. The paradox of endless choice leaves many people overwhelmed and disconnected.
Maybe you’re meeting new people, but not the kind you can imagine building a life with. Or maybe you're ready for a different way forward.
That’s where we come in.
In Good Company is a relationship agency for kind-hearted, growth-minded humans who don’t quite fit the usual dating advice.
Our work blends clarity work, dating differently coaching, and curated gatherings to help thoughtful people date with intention and build relationships that feel mutual and alive.
Sometimes a room changes everything.
How this all began
Adam and Rachel met at a game party on Valentine’s Day in Tilly’s living room in Franklinton. Both had briefly considered not showing up — the party would go past their bedtime.
The following week, Rachel was speaking to a group about the art of connecting and matchmaking after making a good match between her friends Jenny and Johnny. Inspired to see those faces again, she planned a brunch potluck the following weekend and invited the whole group from the game night back together.
Adam, a quiet introvert, found himself slightly overwhelmed by the vibrance of Rachel’s world — but he showed up anyway.
✦
The beginning was a little clunky — she texted quickly, he texted slower. But they were two people who kept finding their way back into conversation. Gentle, kind, curious with each other.
Before long, something became clear: this was a partnership worth choosing for the long haul.
✦
Since those early days, they’ve combined last names (Baransi + Proehl → Barehl), opened their home to more than a dozen kids through foster care, adoption, and foreign exchange, and invested in community living with four other couples outside Columbus.
✦
That game night continues to shape the work they do today.
Adam reminds Rachel that the right person can be worth the wait. Rachel carries that hope when working with singles who are ready for it to be their turn.
Together they gently guide people back to themselves — toward courageous conversations, longer tables, and relationships built in good company.
It’s their joy to witness lives in all their fullness — the grief and the joy — through photography, connection, and conversation.
✦
In many ways, In Good Company began with that game night.
That story isn’t unusual.Most meaningful relationships don’t begin with algorithms or perfect timing.
They grow in rooms where people feel comfortable being themselves — where curiosity, proximity, and a little bit of play are allowed to do their work.
That’s the idea behind In Good Company.
meet the founder
community architect, relationship doula, superconnector, photographer, and anthropologist of modern dating — rachel is known by many as the columbus matchmaker.
clarity work, portrait photography, curated introductions, relational experiments, and intentional gatherings (aka PARTIES) are her favorite ways to support kind humans as she helps them expand their relational range and start showing up in deeper alignment with the partnership they say they want.
Why This Works
The best relationships rarely appear out of nowhere.
They grow when the right conditions exist —
and when people practice the relational skills that make connection possible.
Proximity
People are far more likely to form relationships when they see each other repeatedly.
Dating apps create endless choice, but very little shared space.
That’s why we create rooms where thoughtful humans gather — not just once, but over time.
Depth
The most meaningful relationships grow from conversations that move beyond surface-level interaction.
Stories, values, humor, and vulnerability create the kind of chemistry that lasts.
Safety
Connection deepens when people feel accepted enough to be real.
When the pressure to perform drops, curiosity and honesty take its place.
The spirit of the room
Conditions matter — and so does the energy people bring.
In Good Company tends to attract people with mindful, playful, generous spirits.
People who are curious about each other.
Open to new conversations. Willing to contribute to the room, not just consume it.
When these conditions overlap, connection stops feeling forced.
It begins to emerge.
✦
This is what we mean when we say: dating differently.
Some people start with a gathering.
Others begin with a conversation.
However you arrive, you’re welcome here.
Ways to begin
01 — Join the Rolodex
Add yourself to my private Rolodex of thoughtful singles and kind humans who want to stay connected to what’s unfolding.
When someone aligned comes to mind — for a gathering, a curated introduction, or a deeper experience — you may receive an invitation.
It’s simply a way to enter the ecosystem and stay close to possibility.
No pressure.
No guarantees.
Just curiosity and connection.
02 — Enter the Rooms
Low-pressure ways to meet good humans.
Small gatherings designed for real conversation and shared experience.
Think book swaps, walks, potlucks, game nights, salons, and playful social experiments.
Most people arrive not knowing anyone.
Within an hour, that usually changes.
03 — Cohort Experiences
Multi-week group experiences for people who want to approach dating and relationships with more curiosity, courage, and support.
These small cohorts include:
• guided conversations
• real-world social practice
• thoughtful feedback
• shared community
When people stay in a room together long enough, something powerful happens.
Confidence grows. Friendships form.
And sometimes — romantic sparks appear too.
04 — Private Coaching
Highly supported, personalized work.
For those ready to be proactive about finding a long-term partner.
This path includes personalized strategy, deeper coaching, image and visibility work, curated introductions, and ongoing guidance.
Think of it as having a thoughtful guide and a trusted team helping you design a life that includes more love.
Limited spots each season.
Your photos. Your story. The way you show up matters.
Most people assume dating apps or matchmaking are just about “finding the right person.” But the truth is: the way you present yourself shapes the entire experience.
I meet incredible humans every week—thoughtful, interesting, generous people who should be having a much better time dating than they are. Often the issue isn’t who they are. It’s that their photos, profile, or overall presence aren’t actually showing their real life, personality, or depth. That’s where I come in.
Part of my work is helping people show up more honestly and compellingly in the world of dating. That might mean new portraits that feel like you, support writing or refining your profile, or conversations about how to tell your story in a way that invites the right kind of attention.
Because when your presentation is aligned—when your photos feel alive, your words sound like you, and your story is clear—something shifts.
You show up to dates with more confidence.The conversations feel more real. And the people who reach out tend to be a much better fit.
This work isn’t about polishing you into someone else.
It’s about helping the right people recognize you when they see you.
DAN MERRITT
“The quality of dates was better than any I’d gone on before working with Rachel — and that’s because of her matchmaking skills and her ability to vet people much better than a short online profile. Every single date left me more energized.”
WANT BETTER, NOT MORE
date in alignment of the good life you want to share.
In Good Company tends to attract people who:
• are serious about building a long-term partnership
• value curiosity, kindness, and emotional intelligence
• are open to doing things a little differently than the apps
• believe relationships are something we build, not just stumble into
• want community along the way
• commit to kindness and trust the process of connection unfolding
Join Our Rolodex
add yourself to our private list so we can keep you in mind when making matches and planning parties.
it’s private + free—no invitations or matches guaranteed, unless you’re a client.
Clunky Beginnings
Clunky Beginnings
Clunky Beginnings Clunky Beginnings
Listen to Rachel’s podcast about meet-cutes, bold moves, and almost-missed connections.
in the room we’re building-
we believe
Love is for every body.
Black lives matter.
Queer love is worth celebrating.
In Good Company welcomes people of many backgrounds, beliefs, and life paths — as long as everyone shows up with curiosity, kindness, and respect.
Because at the end of the day, we are all wired for connection.
