By Dennis Box, The Courier-Herald

It was 1983 in Czechoslovakia, six years before the Velvet Revolution that would bring an end to the communist regime that had controlled the country since the end of World War II.

Ludvik Stribrny was 31 years old, living with his wife, Marie, and two daughters on the outskirts of Prague.

Stribrny's job was to build cinder-block houses for the government. He was good at it, very good. But as he built houses, block-by-block, other ideas were quietly growing inside of him - freedom and escape from his homeland to America.

It took two years of step-by-step planning. If he and his family were caught it would mean death, and he meant to take his entire family with him.

On April 23, 1983, the family made their break. Stribrny drove east across Czechoslovakia into Romania. They drove through the night until they reached the Danube River. They abandoned their car and swam across the river into Yugoslavia, using inner tubes.

A week after their escape, 11 people were shot to death attempting the same crossing.

"If you gave me a million bucks today I wouldn't do it again," Stribrny said. "My whole family was in danger. But I tell you if you live through something like that you appreciate being in America."

His wife Marie smiles as she remembers their run to freedom.

"We were young and maybe a little stupid," she said. "You think you're invincible when you're young. But we did it."

The family made their way to Germany, and within a year found a sponsor in America.

"We came to Idaho. I had $72 in my pocket," Stribrny said. "I only knew hi, bye and thank you."

They may have been short on cash and words, but Stribrny and his wife had what it took to make it in America.

They left Idaho and traveled to Seattle. Stribrny started building houses in the Seattle and Kent area and he started a siding business.

He eventually moved to Bonney Lake, where he found his home in America.

"We moved here because everyone was so friendly to us," Stribrny said. "The people in Bonney Lake take time to talk. I really like to work with these folks."

After he has moved to Bonney Lake, Stribrny started Euro-way Homes Inc. He builds exclusively high-end homes in private, gated communities which he designs. The homes start at $500,000.

"I like to play and have room to try something different," Stribrny said. "I try something different with all the houses. I like to be creative. All my homes have granite countertops and lights behind the backsplashes. I'm always trying something different with energy saving. We try to stay one step ahead. We want quality, not quantity."

Stribrny is currently completing the Bowman Lake development at the northeast end of Lake Tapps. He is also working with the City Council for Bohemian Estates, located on 207th Avenue East and Vandermark Road.

"That one is my baby," Stribrny said. "Bohemia used to be the name for the Czech Republic. I am going to create a gorgeous neighborhood."

By June, Euro-way will begin breaking ground on the Elk Heights community in Buckley. Stribrny intends to be building 76 homes by the end of the year and says 27 of the homes have already been reserved.

"In all of my developments, I'm never afraid to go back," Stribrny said. "I love the rush when people call and are so happy. That means more to me than money."

Stribrny credits his entire team for the success of his company - office managers Tami Gregg and Marie Banks, his daughter, superintendent Tony Daniels, real estate salesman Doug Walker and his wife Marie.

"I think I am living the American dream," Stribrny said. "Life has been good."

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com