Best method of creating and saving a rendering environment?

[Click Draw]

I'd like to create a rendering scene/environment and be able to re-use it. Have lights and reflection surfaces set in place and then I can re-use the set up and turn lights on and off as needed for the render. Should I ?:

• create the scene putting everything in place like lights and such and then save it as a template?
• create the scene and save it as a component and drag it on to a scene when needed? (will lighting properties remain if done like this?)
• OR...someone can suggest a better way?

Thanks All,

Jeff