Thankyou all for the insights. I do not think there is a single dealer in her area, of any brand, but I have a great machine tech where I live so in a pinch we can have any servicing done here (he sometimes has good used machines in but not right now). There is a nice quilt shop near her that offers sewing classes (on Berninas!), so she plans to connect with them and take a few of their courses.
Still ruminating!