at first he was content to sail the pacific seas on his own. but then he realized he wanted to share it with serena karlan, a one-time movie makeup artist who he had met years before through a friend. by 2001, serena was in new york city getting her real estate license. but september 11th ended that for her. shortly after the attacks, brian called and offered her a chance to get away. she met him on the island of vanuatu. and went sailing, and according to serena's mother, began falling in love. >> when she came back to new york and was picking up her life and getting back to work, and after three or four weeks he called her, and he said, you know, i think we have something here. i think we should give this relationship a try. >> serena said she had responsibilities and debts. brian took care of those in characteristic fashion.