The Be Unbound Blog

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Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Jonathan Brush July 8, 2025

None of the common problems many educators talk about—like widespread AI cheating or student disengagement—match what we see at Ascend. Our students are different. We don’t have the kind of

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Jonathan Brush July 7, 2025

In my last article, I talked about a university professor who shared a sobering view of what he sees in today’s college students—apathy, detachment, lack of basic responsibility, and an

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Unbound FAQs

Got questions about Unbound’s programs or courses? Chances are you’ll find answers here!

How much does Unbound cost?

If you’re dissatisfied with the environment and results of traditional education and are in the market for better alternatives for either high school or post-high school, then you’re probably looking…Continue...

How Does Travel Work for Ascend Events?

One of the most important parts of Unbound’s Ascend program is the live, in-person events. How exactly do students get to all of these events?…Continue readingHow Does Travel Work for...

How Big are Ascend Teams and Who Leads Them?

Ascend Teams help students in the Ascend program to thrive by giving them a community of support as they learn to own their purpose.…Continue readingHow Big are Ascend Teams and...

What Kinds of Jobs Do Ascend Students Work?

Students in the Ascend program work in all kinds of different jobs and fields while going through the program. Here are some examples.…Continue readingWhat Kinds of Jobs Do Ascend Students...

Commentary

The Unbound staff offer their perspective on current events and educational trends.

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

None of the common problems many educators talk about—like widespread AI cheating or student disengagement—match what we see at Ascend. Our students are different. We don’t have the kind of…Continue...

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

In my last article, I talked about a university professor who shared a sobering view of what he sees in today’s college students—apathy, detachment, lack of basic responsibility, and an…Continue...

Working with the 1% (Part 1): Why I Believe Your Student Shouldn’t Go to College (At Least, Not the Way You Think)

Hello, my name is Jonathan Brush. I have the privilege of being the President and CEO of Unbound. I’m also a dad to eight children, ages 1 to 24, and…Continue...

Never Stop Learning: A Conversation with Andrew Pudewa

If you don't, periodically at least, feel like a hypocrite, you probably aren't really engaging with your faith.…Continue readingNever Stop Learning: A Conversation with Andrew Pudewa

Ascend by Unbound

Want to learn more about Unbound’s post high school training program, Ascend? Check out these articles!

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Working with the 1% (Part 1): Why I Believe Your Student Shouldn’t Go to College (At Least, Not the Way You Think)

Hello, my name is Jonathan Brush. I have the privilege of being the President and CEO of Unbound. I’m also a dad to eight children, ages 1 to 24, and…Continue...

“I’ve grown more confident and learned more about myself”: Aravis’ Story

Joining Unbound was a significant life change for me, but so far, it has been one of the best things I have done regarding education, community, and most importantly, preparing…Continue...

The Road to Brave

Victoria Schurter uses personal stories and thoughtful insight in this series, where she dives into what it looks like to be brave.

In the End

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. 10/17/24Somewhere on the road11 months to the day from our first steps onto the Road to Brave Every so often,…Continue...

Brave Enough to Be Loved

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. Sometimes to love is easy, but to accept love is hard. ~ Brent Weeks The idea seems simultaneously ridiculous and so,…Continue...

Brave Enough to Love

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. Have you ever read a blog post that was almost entirely questions? No? Well, me neither, but here you go.…Continue...

Brave Enough to Trust

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus — just to take Him at His wordJust to rest upon His promise…Continue...

Jace Bower

Jace Bower is a Copywriter for Unbound. An Unbound alumnus, he has experienced firsthand the powerful advantages of doing college differently and participating in an intentional community. Jace graduated with his bachelor’s degree in History in 2016 and has worked in restaurant management and marketing since then. He also served on the Unbound Student Cabinet in 2019. The author of two books and a semi-regular blogger, Jace can often be found doing something with words. When he’s not, chances are he’s reading about theology, listening to music, or playing pool or tennis with his wife Shannon in their Virginia home.

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Jonathan Brush

Jonathan Brush is the President and CEO of Unbound, a homeschool graduate, and a homeschool dad of six. He worked for nine years as a Director of Admissions for a private, liberal arts college, and then spent over ten years working in non-traditional higher education. Jonathan loves Unbound and Unbound students and dreams every single day about new ways to connect them to each other. He gets to work with the world’s best team and the most amazing student body in the history of the world (which is just as awesome as it sounds), and field questions about Rule 4 violations (ask an Unbound student to explain). Jonathan and his family make their home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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Tim Fisher

Tim Fisher is the Controller and Director of Teams & Talents for Unbound, where he not only crunches numbers but also ensures the team members have what they need to succeed. He earned his bachelor's in accounting through Thomas Edison State University and jumps at nearly every chance to travel he gets. When he’s not studying about vision and leadership, Tim enjoys creating adventures with friends, running, biking, and reading. His life mantra is “Live life with an open hand.” Known to move and travel quite often, he currently lives in northern Indiana.

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Victoria Schurter

Victoria Schurter is the VP of Content and Development for Unbound. An Unbound graduate, Victoria has served in a variety of roles including student leadership, coaching, and in the Business and Leadership program. She is passionate about equipping young adults to recognize their potential, to know God, and make Him known in daily life. When she’s not working on an Unbound project, you can find her scribbling on a novel, playing a favorite instrument, riding horses, watching a sunset, or dreaming up some new adventure that absolutely includes the Pacific coastline. One of the best parts of her world is walking alongside her fellow Unbound students as they make an eternal impact in their generation.

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David Rethemeyer

David Rethemeyer is the Marketing Coordinator for Unbound. He was a homeschool graduate by age 16, earned his BSBA through the Unbound program, and finished his MBA from Missouri S&T by age 21. He specializes in branding, content marketing, and digital advertising. In his spare time, David enjoys gaming with friends, going for long runs on the Katy trail, tinkering with his computer, coming up with Words of Wisdom (ask an Unbound student to explain) serving at his local church, and eating absurdly spicy chicken wings.

Read David's Posts

The Be Unbound Blog

Read the Latest Posts

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Subscribe to the Blog

Unbound FAQs

How much does Unbound cost?

How Does Travel Work for Ascend Events?

How Big are Ascend Teams and Who Leads Them?

What Kinds of Jobs Do Ascend Students Work?

Commentary

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Working with the 1% (Part 1): Why I Believe Your Student Shouldn’t Go to College (At Least, Not the Way You Think)

Never Stop Learning: A Conversation with Andrew Pudewa

Ascend by Unbound

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Working with the 1% (Part 1): Why I Believe Your Student Shouldn’t Go to College (At Least, Not the Way You Think)

“I’ve grown more confident and learned more about myself”: Aravis’ Story

The Road to Brave

In the End

Brave Enough to Be Loved

Brave Enough to Love

Brave Enough to Trust

Meet the Authors

Jace Bower

Jonathan Brush

Tim Fisher

Victoria Schurter

David Rethemeyer

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