DAPHNE, Ala. — It was a job that brought their family down from their beloved Pittsburgh to Alabama, but Mary Beth and Mark Bentz don’t regret the choice at all.

“I came down to be a vice president of Regions Bank,” said Mary Beth. She has since left the banking institution to concentrate on the family business. She also runs a few other financial-planning businesses on the side.

While there are plenty of signs and banners about their beloved Pittsburgh teams in their restaurant, Bentz Pizza, Mary Beth says that the “family atmosphere” and “slower pace” makes Baldwin County a better place to raise their three youngsters, Mark, 13, Matthew, 10, and Maryssa, 7.

“It’s a small community,” said Mary Beth. “It's a softer, quieter lifestyle. You genuinely get to know people.”

“You definitely get to know more people,” Mark agreed, explaining that in a large city like Pittsburgh, you don’t always get to know your customers well. Here, it is different.

And the Bentzes are enjoying all the Eastern Shore has to offer.

“We had a great time at the Father-Daughter Dance,” said Mark. He added that he and the children recently launched a model rocket at Al Trione Sports Park.

“That was cool,” he said grinning and brightening when he learned that there are model rockets with cameras built in for home-grown aerial photography.

All three children have their own interests, ranging from playing in a band to sports, dance and cheerleading.

“Mom is usually right beside them,”said Mary Beth, adding that she's a cheerleading coach.

The Bentz children spend a lot of time in the restaurant. Mark has years of experience in the restaurant business. In fact, he noted that the restaurant he came up in in Pittsburgh earned an award for its burger.

Mary Beth’s grandfather “raised seven kids” in his bar/restaurant.

Will the family tradition continue?

“Our hope is they (the children) find what makes them happy,” said Mary Beth.

Mary Beth says she learned to throw a pizza several years ago, but she’s been eclipsed by at least one of her children.

“My son, Matt, can throw a pizza better than I can,” laughed Mary Beth.

“God comes first,” said Mary Beth, noting that she teaches CCD at Christ the King. She enjoys reading, and “loves to go on vacation.” As a former “Army brat,” she loves “to see different things.”

Mark says he enjoys “being with the kids” as the main way to relax. Like Mary Beth, he enjoys going on vacation and appreciates that Baldwin County is “close to a lot of traveling spaces.”

Being married and running a business together can naturally lead to some friction.

“We have some ground rules,” Mary Beth pointed out.

Of course the couple had to poke fun with each other.

“He lets me win,” she said, laughing.

He retorted, “I have been married for 15 years. I know I am always wrong.”