The origin of Sara

The origin of Sara

Yeah, as you see in the title, I'm wondering where Sara came from. I know Mandi Paugh created the sprite, but there are some questions:

 

1. She was imagined solely for this site or was already conceptualized beforehand?

2. Conceptualized/designed by Mandi or Bart?

3. Mandi sprited her for free (as favor) or bart paid her beforehand? (one source on Tumblr says she was commissioned from Mandi, but Bart says Mandi "generously donated" her which implies free)

 

Thanks!