Ben Sturner, CEO of sports marketing company Leverage Agency, stepped outside onto the terrace of his apartment in Long Island City, Queens, Thursday morning, part of his daily routine to check the weather. He has an unobstructed view of the World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline from across the East River.

It was just after 7 a.m., and, “I see this rainbow, and it’s coming from the World Trade Center and it’s the most gorgeous rainbow I’ve ever seen,” he told NBC 4 New York over the phone. “I took out my phone and started snapping photos.”  MORE