Pierre L. Nichols, grew up in Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois. After his high school years, and a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute, he joined the army serving overseas in Thailand as an army photographer. After service in the military, he was employed as a commercial photographer in Youngstown, Ohio, until an invite to be a volunteer in New Mexico changed his life. It was while working as a volunteer at a boy's ranch for troubled youth, that Nichols discovered sexual abuse by the ranch founder. Investigations by him, produced little results from any authorities. After so much heartbreak and sadness over the tragic death of one boy, as well as his own personal struggles with faith, Nichols moved on with his life. He did work with migrant workers, street people and developed a successful art gallery in Wyoming, before returning to New Mexico in 2004. It was then that the boys ranch issue resurfaced, forty years later. Nichols goes through the pain and anguish all over again, to help bring justice for the boys that were so harmed, as well as closure for himself. Nichols lives a full life as an artist and writer in Silver City, New Mexico.