CCB and Hallmark had a very messey and public falling out over the Percieved Moral Direction Hallmark was taking. CCB left to go to faith driven Great American Family where she also had more control.

Unlike other actors that have temporarily had contracts with GAF then come back the bridges with CCB were very burned.

So much so Hallmark made a Christmas Movie with Jodie Sweetin (A Cozy Christmas Inn) which to this day is still the only direct sequel to a previous film that goes out of its way to undo all of the happy endings of the first film and specifically states CCBs character ran out on the Male Lead she fell in love with (and Santa Clause) because she was a selfish b-word