Our Founder, Michael Peter Riedel, also known as "Mr. Dragon," was named after St. Michael the Archangel. His last name is pronounced "Rye-Dell." Michael was born during the centennial celebration of Billings, Montana on August 25th, 1982, to his devoted parents, Peter and LaRayne Riedel. He is one of five children, having two brothers and two sisters, and his heritage includes Irish, British, and German roots. Michael was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church on September 18, 1982. He later received his First Holy Communion on April 26, 1991, and was confirmed on May 6, 1992. As a child, Michael enjoyed playing with Legos and video games, with his favorite being the Legend of Zelda series. In 1991, he was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (O.C.D.), Asperger's Syndrome, and High-End Autism. Michael attended public schools throughout his youth. He was a quiet and shy boy who did not often play with other children during grade school. Instead, he spent much of his time engaging in role-playing games and using his imagination alone. He was also known for doodling in class when teachers were not paying attention. Michael enjoyed listening to a variety of music genres, including oldies, disco, new wave, and early 1990s country. The seventh grade proved to be an exceptionally difficult period for him, a time he often refers to as the "school year from hell." During this year at Riverside Middle School, he faced relentless teasing and bullying from other students. The source of this cruelty stemmed from his testicular surgery for testicular torsion, which he had undergone in 1994. His classmates targeted him with hurtful nicknames, such as "No Nuts," making his school experience miserable. Unfortunately, the teachers at Riverside Middle School did nothing to intervene or stop the bullying, leaving him feeling isolated and unsupported. This hostile environment finally prompted him to transfer to St. Francis Upper School for eighth grade, seeking a fresh start and a more positive school experience. On February 12, 1999, Michael experienced a tragic loss when his crush and girlfriend, Heather D. Hogan, passed away in a vehicle accident just outside Billings. He continues to visit her grave regularly, offering prayers for her soul. Michael graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 2001. His favorite subject in high school was art, but he is largely a self-taught freelance artist. His passions include animals, fantasy, nature, and architecture. Over the years, Michael worked various jobs, including janitorial work for COR Enterprises throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2012, he experienced a significant spiritual conversion, beginning to pray the rosary daily, attending Daily Mass and monthly confession as often as possible. That May, he founded an order called the Catholic Dragons and later joined the Knights of Columbus, achieving Fourth Degree status in 2016. Michael also worked in the restaurant industry, serving as a dishwasher at Krispy Kreme in 2018 and as a team member at Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Pizza Hut during the 2020s. He is currently unemployed and is an avid bowler. In his forties, Michael began serving the poor and homeless in Billings by distributing water and providing apples to students in need at local high schools, an initiative he called “Apples for Pupils” on “Mercy Mondays.” He performs “Mercy Checks” on the homeless whenever possible. In 2025, Michael joined the Billings Arts Association (BAA), a local group of artists. He currently attends St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings and aspires to become a great saint. More about Michael’s journey can be found in his book, "Michael Riedel: A Dragon's Journey," which is currently being written.