 While the sculpture was a work in progress , the location of the sculptor 's rented studio was kept secret from the public , while the husband @-@ and @-@ wife sculptor team and three assistants spent four months working for sixteen hours every day of the week . The process involved two sittings with Jordan for measurements and photos , including one in which the clay version had to be driven from Chicago to Nashville , to ensure the accuracy of the clay likeness . The 2 @,@ 000 @-@ pound ( 907 @.@ 2 kg ) sculpture , which is 12 feet ( 3 @.@ 7 m ) tall , rests on a 5 @-@ foot high black granite base that has an inscription reading " The best there ever was . The best there ever will be . " The base also includes a list of his accomplishments . The bronze statue used lost @-@ wax casting . The sculpture has led to a lot of similar work for the couple . 
