For Fall City resident Scott Buschen, things were looking up on the morning of February 28, 2009. He had an enjoyable job as a sports auto mechanic at his father’s shop, was active in his church and was excited about spending an evening on the town with his girlfriend, Tammy. He had just bought Seattle Sounders season tickets, and life was good.

But life and history can sometimes change in the blink of an eye. A simple stumble changed Buschen’s life forever. The stumble triggered a spark from a torch that ignited solvents in a bucket. The bucket instantly became engulfed in flames. Acting impulsively to save the shop, Buschen attempted to drag the flaming bucket outside only to have the fire rage higher and blaze out of control.

In the ensuing fire, he suffered second and third degree burns on his arms and legs. The 25-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, but the process could take a year, according to his family.

Buschen was burned across some 40 percent of his body, and lost 40 pounds in the wake of the accident. He needed skin grafts from on his arms and legs. Luckily, neither his face nor any internal organs were damaged.

Now recovering at home, Scott has no recollection of the first three weeks after he was burned. His first memory came after his fourth surgery.

Buschen’s family and caregivers have been impressed by his positive attitude toward recovery.

“His mental outlook is what they think is helping him the most,” said Scott’s mother, Lois. He is impatient at times, because he can’t do outdoor activity. However, by the end of the year, he should be able to resume his normal daily routine.

The elder Buschens had no income for three months following the fire. Lois Buschen, who runs The River’s Edge store, said her shop is also challenged by the struggling economy.

Benefit show

To speed Scott on the road to recovery, friends and family are throwing a benefit concert, 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Cascade Covenant Church. The headliner is contemporary Christian performers The Maureen Still Band. Admission is free.

The band, fronted by North Bend artist Maureen Still, promises a lively and uplifting concert.

Still’s music career began as a member of Seattle area rock bands. But as a married mother of three children, she left the industry to devote herself to family. She continued to write music, but her inspiration gravitated to family, friends and a deepening faith.

In the early 90s, she helped bring contemporary Christian music to her church and formed a contemporary choir called “Power of One.” The choir expanded their ministry to to shows and benefits throughout the region, and went on to put out two albums, perform for the Pope and as a backup choir to Celine Dion.

In 1995, Still gathered together musician and singing friends and formed the band. They have been playing together ever since, and have put out nine albums.

Cascade Covenant Church is located at 13225 436th Ave. S.E., North Bend. Call the church at (425) 831-6222.

Learn more about the Maureen Still Band at www.maureenstill.org.