I am a beginner quilter and have dreams of the uber expensive machines one day.
There are many on here that use a basic domestic machine. I have a basic janome magnolia 7318 that works great for quilting. Sometimes we have to start small to work up to the big things.
I hope she doesn't give up. Just because a machine doesn't cost a gojillion dollars doesn't mean it won't do what she wants it to do.