When someone comes onto this forum and says they want advice about biking 5 days a week, year round, 30 mile round trip, with a laptop and textbooks, in Minneapolis, I think all the usual advice we give about fit, equipment, planning, etc. is appropriate. But when someone in a small town like Santa Barbara starts with a 3-mile goal and a link to an inexpensive used ladies' MTB (very comfortable and adjustable and utilitarian), I think the odds are high that she'll be fine with the bike's fit once the saddle is adjusted, and the tires will be fine, and she will be fine with a cheap cable lock or a U-lock from Wal-Mart, and a backpack with a patch kit.