When Jean Adriel had left California to visit Baba in India in 1948, care of the Ojai, California center, called Meher Mount, had fallen to Agnes Baron, 45. Margaret Craske visited Agnes during the summers and told her more about Baba. In the six years that Agnes had been living at Meher Mount, she had faced one difficulty after another in managing and holding on to the estate. 

Before Jean had departed, she had formed a new board, introducing a man onto it who offered to pay off the

mortgage. Later Agnes discovered that he had plans to build a hotel there and turn it into a psychic center.

Agnes fought hard to keep the property for Baba, and wrote to Baba describing the troublesome situation, stating, "If you want Meher Mount, I will keep it for you through hellfire and damnation!"

Baba replied that she should keep it by all means, and he sent her his love.

Meanwhile, a young wealthy Britisher named John Cooke intervened. He had met Baba years before in Europe and loved him. With his help, Agnes was able to overcome the horrible financial problems she faced and win control of the property from the unscrupulous developer.