God is amazing. Can we just start with that premise?
This weekend, we had the privilege of graduating two apprentices.
Vella Karman and Noah J. Matthews each received their diplomas and multiple professional certifications. Their friends and family gathered to celebrate their incredible accomplishment.
Both of these apprentices grew in such amazing ways through this apprenticeship. Coincidentally, both were homeschooled and started the program directly after high school in lieu of conventional college.
It has been amazing to watch their faith grow as they surrender more fully to Jesus and trust in His plan for their lives. It has been wonderful to see them accept who God says that they are.
The growth in their confidence, both spiritually and professionally, has been nothing short of miraculous.
Our apprenticeship is challenging. Becoming a full-time professional novelist is statistically about as challenging as winning an Olympic medal.
Thousands of Americans win an Olympic medal every two years, so it’s not impossible. But it takes some serious dedication and hard work to reach the level of excellence required.
Noah and Vella both rose to the challenge and met the rigorous requirements of the apprenticeship.
At the time of graduation, both have two complete novel manuscripts ready for publication and both are actively negotiating offers for contract editing work.
And of course, they both published work during their time with us.
In addition to a catalog of short stories and poetry that has been published over the past two years, Noah published his first book: Outlaw Blood, a dark and gritty fantasy western. (Check it out here: https://amzn.to/45t6oGJ)
In addition to her short stories and poetry, Vella developed, managed, and published Fantastical Summer, a collection of fun, clean short stories. (Find it here: https://amzn.to/45hsSMc)
Noah also launched A Curiously Good Podcast, a new outlet for The Pearl! This project stretched him personally and professionally, and you can find the results of his hard work on every major podcast platform. (Find and subscribe here: https://pearlmag.co/listen/ )
And I have so much more I wish I had space to share with you. They’ve learned to evangelize and teach the Bible and they’ve experienced miraculous healings. They’ve setup businesses, developed marketing plans, and so much more.
I’m incredibly proud of the work that these two have put in.
Will you do me a favor and follow their journey? The best way to do that is by subscribing to their mailing lists. Use these links to jump right there and subscribe.
Vella: vellakarman.com/subscribe/
Noah: noahjmatthews.com/subscribe/
For an author developing an audience, a new subscriber can mean the world.
For all of these wonderful things that we’re celebrating about Noah and Vella, God deserves the glory.
Noah and Vella showed up one day at a time and did their best to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given them. But it’s God who made any of it matter.
Noah and Vella made more progress in two years than most writers make in the 7-year pursuit of an MFA degree. That shouldn’t be possible.
But God.
They trusted in God. They turned it over to Him and surrendered one painful piece at a time. They kept showing up and they kept trusting.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1
And that’s the real testimony.
Noah and Vella took big risks, big steps of faith. But a good and loving God met them in that and helped them every step of the way.
These guys have more work to do to make their dreams come true. But now they know what work to do, and they know who is the Source of every good thing in their lives.
And they are within striking distance of full-time income with writing and publishing.
Thank you to everyone who supported them through this apprenticeship. Whether you made a donation when Noah got hit by a car, bought one of their books, or left an encouraging comment on their social media. Thank you.
We are a community of writers, changing the world together, one piece of media at a time. Celebrate with us as these two lead the charge and push Christian literature to higher heights.
Congratulations, Vella and Noah. It’s been an amazing to work with you, and I will treasure the last two years we’ve spent together.
-Brad Pauquette
Director, The Company
P.S. Interested in joining us one year from now, in the fall of 2026? Learn more about the apprenticeship today and consider joining us for our fall retreat on October 10!
