“And a school for medical billing,” said the other guy, who had introduced himself as Christopher. “That’s in development.”

“A Christian medical billing school?” Marianne asked, spinning the cube into disarray. Now it read S_oGl df WL_w.

“We’ve found that our students—” began Christopher.

“Our clients,” Regina corrected.

“Our clients prefer a Christian learning environment,” he said. “They want to know that their peers and teachers are also Christian.”

“They want to know that what they are learning strengthens their values,” Regina added, “instead of damages them. They want to feel comfortable in a learning environment that is part of their faith journey.”

“Wow,” said Marianne. She rotated the cube three times, then held it up. “This Rubik’s Cube is very easy to solve.”

“You are a quick study, I can tell,” Regina said. She winked at Marianne. “I understand the Ranch was all your idea.”

“Well, yes, I suppose it was,” Marianne said, still examining the cube. How could a Rubik’s Cube be only two colors? And why did the two colors mean it would be so easy to put back together, especially if many of the squares were marked with letters? But it was true—she scrambled the cube again, making five quick twists, and was able to return it to the start again in no time.

“Mark tells me that you were dismayed by your own fine arts training,” she said.

“There was dismay,” said Marianne, still studying the cube. “And it was also difficult to get a job once it was over.”

“The value you are bringing to these writers is immeasurable,” said Regina. “Giving them a place to express themselves without judgment.”

Marianne looked up. “Not entirely without judgment,” she said. “It is, after all, a place to learn.”

“Of course,” said Regina. “A place of supportive learning that will help them refine their talents. And part of it online, yes?”

“Yes,” confirmed Marianne. From beneath a stack of new manuscripts, she unearthed the schedule for the current cohort. “They have twelve days here in session, with a half-day optional field trip tomorrow. Then they return in August. In between, they’re in email contact with their professors, working on drafts and revisions.”

“This is an essential part of our strategy,” said Regina, tapping the page. “Our clients want a Christian experience, and they also want part of it to be online.”

“They’re busy folks,” Matt said. “Moms and dads, working people. They have church responsibilities, family responsibilities. They are soccer coaches and baseball coaches and Sunday school teachers.”

“They don’t have time to mess around,” Christopher said, somewhat angrily, as if Marianne herself were trying to rob these hardworking Christians of their civic and family-minded time.

“They want a school experience that fits into their faith and their life,” Regina said, more gently.