I met Marshall Fritz on his visit to Cincinnati to speak at the Ohio Libertarian Party convention. I had innocently called the Alliance's number in California to get information on the work being done to separate school and state, and Marshall was on the other line in Chicago. He called me right back and suggested that I meet him at the booth at the convention.

When I asked if there was any other time that would be convenient, he suggested that I drive him to the airport Sunday morning. After I agreed, I found out that I would have to get up at 4 a.m. to accomplish this, but I figured that if you want to be a volunteer you have to pay the price.

On the way to the airport Sunday morning, I told Marshall about my interest in education issues. I told him I am active in the Christian Coalition and Republican Party politics, and that I am a Christian Reconstructionist. I told him that my friend Roseanne was involved with a group of political activists who were trying to decide what direction the Christian Right should be lobbying for as to education reform. Roseanne and I want to push this group toward advocating Separation, not reform.

We talked about strategy a little, but mostly he was concerned with the educational option that I had for my three children. We home-schooled my 10-year-old last year, and have all three in a small private Christian school this year.

Once at the airport we sat down for coffee and Marshall somehow started a conversation with the people at the next table by greeting them in some dialect from India. One thing led to another, and he began to discuss Separation with them. As Marshall explained, he was showing me how to approach people and launch a discussion of the cause. (What? I have to learn every language in the world just so I'll be prepared for any chance encounter?)

He concluded by selling the man the Separating School and State book, which he "just happened" to have an extra copy of in his briefcase.

Anyway: Viva the Alliance!

This article is copyrighted by the Alliance for the Separation of School & State. Permission is granted to freely distribute this article as long as this copyright notice is included in its entirety.

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