EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Cappella will be a center for education and cultural renewal in Northern California. In the rolling hills overlooking the Pacific Coast, we're imagine building a place where leaders develop the creative abilities that can transform society.

Building on a tradition of transformative experiments in education, Cappella responds to today's need for meaningful alternatives to conventional learning. Participants will be stewards of both nature and culture, tending to the land that sustains us and helping revitalize the ideas that shape our society.

When participants experience the integration of nature, practical work, and creative activities, they will develop the reverence, attentiveness, and creative spirit needed to transform themselves, their organizations, and their communities.

In what follows, we’ll frequently reference a 1,783 acre property located in Northern Sonoma County, CA, called Rip’s Redwoods. Rip’s is coming up for sale soon, and whether or not it is the school’s eventual location, the core principles of the idea remain the same.

Cappella is currently seeking supporters, board members, and advisors, with a goal of raising $10 million for project development and land purchase.

“Whoever cultivates appropriate appreciation of nature finds himself drawn inevitably to art.”

— Goethe

A LIVING LABORATORY

In times of distress and uncertainty, new schools of thought can help change entire cultures. Black Mountain College and the Bauhaus are famous examples, but many others have also pioneered new ways of learning and living.

The goal of such schools is always to strengthen and equip creative leaders and individuals who can change the world. Cappella builds on these precedents in service to a new generation, creating space for mentors and students to learn in dialogue and direct experience, in stark contrast to online learning and compliance-driven models that define conventional education methods.

Immersed in wilderness and farmland, participants step away from urban distractions to reconnect with nature, self, and each other. Investigating the nature of things, whether natural or man made, they learn to see more deeply and strengthen their sense of truth.

This foundation can then inform all creative work in any discipline or profession. To be reverent and attentive, grounded and flexible, creative and generous of spirit — these are our goals for all participants.

FROM NATURE TO CULTURE

Cappella integrates three core activities to create a dynamic environment for learning and life-transformation: connection to nature, site development and the building arts, and art and articulated imagination.

1 — Connection to Nature

In this document, we imagine Capella’s beginning at Rip’s Redwoods, the 1,783-acre property mentioned earlier, which boasts protected redwood forest, agricultural land, two miles of riverfront, and close proximity to the coast. In such a place, participants learn to observe and study nature directly, without preconceptions or abstractions. We emphasize firsthand experience: watching how water moves across the land, noticing patterns in plant growth, and feeling the rhythms of seasonal change. These direct observations reveal the living principles at work in natural processes and form the foundation for thoughtful conservation and regenerative practices.

This approach to nature does more than teach ecological principles; it also transforms how we see ourselves and our place in the world. When we slow down and truly observe what's around us, the constant noise of modern life begins to fade. We become present in ways that are increasingly rare. This presence — this ability to see clearly and deeply — is the starting point for what Emerson called "self-reliance," the capacity to stand firmly in one's own perceptions and insights.

Students engage directly with soil building, food cultivation, pollinator gardening, forest management, restoration agriculture, and biodynamic farming. These activities cultivate an attitude of respectful partnership with the natural world while offering purpose and healing. For example, plant studies immerse students in the principles of medicinal plants, their cultivation, and the discovery of healing properties in native varieties. Through this engagement, participants develop qualities essential for meaningful work in any field — patience, attention to detail, recognition of patterns, and an appreciation for complex systems — building a foundation for more authentic relationships and effective leadership in communities and organizations.

In Wildness is the preservation of the world.”

— Thoreau

2 — Site Development & Building Arts

Our prospective site already has a number of buildings, and students and participants will help remodel these existing structures. An early stage design-build program will integrate sustainable design and architectural vision with hands-on craftsmanship, practical building techniques, sensitivity to landscape and context, creating beautiful buildings that uplift and inspire.

The building arts will also teach participants to solve practical problems using local resources and experience how thoughtful design can honor both environmental constraints and human needs. Working with natural materials — wood from our forest, stone and clay from our land — connects abstract principles of sustainability to lived experience.

These projects will also teach participants how to run teams, navigate social dynamics, facilitate creative processes, and manage resources. When a community raises a timber frame or rebuilds a foundation after discovering unexpected soil conditions, individuals develop resilience that classroom education cannot provide. In essence, participants learn how to bring complex projects from vision to reality — perhaps the most valuable capacity for any change-maker today.

3 — Art and Articulated Imagination

In today’s fast-paced, complex work environments, creativity is often sought but rarely skillfully practiced or managed. At Cappella, the arts provide practical training in navigating complexity and making uncertainty productive — skills essential for innovation in any field.

Art is creativity made visible, and learning to make art teaches us how to be creative. Students and participants will be immersed in multiple art and craft media — ceramics, painting, architecture, drawing, woodwork, blacksmithing, and fiber arts are some examples — and encouraged to grow their “creative confidence,” meaning that they have the know-how to experiment and work in any creative medium, from crafts to art forms to social initiatives. They’ll understand the principles necessary to build and grow new creations, whether that is a series of clay pots, a new garden, or a new business or initiative.

Moreover, the arts develop crucial faculties: keen perception, imaginative thinking, critical analysis, and clear articulation. When students learn to dialogue with a variety of creative media they cultivate abilities that naturally extend into self-knowledge, effective leadership, and creative work across disciplines. These capacities become the foundation for meaningful contribution in a world that increasingly demands both adaptability and purpose.

“Unless we save the human soul, it makes no sense to grow better potatoes.”

— Joseph Beuys

OUR AUDIENCE & PARTICIPANTS

We aim to serve two primary audiences: young people seeking alternative paths of education and leaders and organizations seeking opportunities and sites for retreats and workshops

Young people — Many young people today are seeking an alternative to traditional university. College degrees no longer guarantee employment, but they often come with six figures of debt.

As an alternative for young people, we envision various lengths of stay, from weekend workshops to multi-year paths of development. Through residential programs, we aim to develop individuals who can bridge practical skills with transformative vision: young people capable of seeing new possibilities and bringing them into reality through developed abilities in leadership, community building, and creative problem-solving.

In addition, our hands-on, community-oriented learning path is designed to culminate in real-world opportunities: direct connections between young participants and established leaders, real pathways to apprenticeships and mentorships, and organic professional transitions based on authentic relationships.

Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.”

— John Dewey

Leaders and organizations — For leaders, organizations, and professionals, Cappella will offer unique opportunities to develop the personal qualities of effective leadership: presence, attentiveness, creative confidence, and organizational culture building. Time at Cappella will help leaders break entrenched patterns of thought, reconnect with their core purpose, and return to their organizations with renewed vision and practical tools.

The property is already a site for such retreats and workshops, and as we further enhance and build out the campus, we expect to broaden our community of leaders and professionals.

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These two audiences create a dynamic ecosystem of learning and opportunity. Young people gain direct access to mentors and potential career paths while contributing fresh perspectives and energy. Leaders find both renewal and the chance to share their wisdom while discovering promising talent. Through extended stays and focused retreats, these interactions will create a vital exchange between Cappella and the broader world, allowing innovative approaches developed at Cappella to find application in diverse settings — from urban planning to organizational development to community education.

When participants leave Cappella, they will carry with them more than just new skills and ideas. They take creative capacities, self-confidence in practical and collaborative work, leadership abilities, and perhaps most importantly, a greater commitment and capability to create a life in service to the whole.

This is the fruit of our integrated approach: individuals prepared to serve, contribute, and live lives of purpose and meaningful accomplishment.

LAUNCH STRATEGY 2025-2028

RIPS REDWOODS: SITE & SITE DEVELOPMENT

The 1,783 acre property we are considering is called Rips Redwoods (or just “Rip’s”) and is currently managed by one of our founding members, David Katz. It is a place of spiritual renewal, abundant natural resources and great natural beauty. The property includes:

• 105 acres of flat, arable land with ocean views. There are more than 100 acres of prime farmland as yet undeveloped. We plan to use the activities of workshops and project-based work to build a fully operational regenerative farm. There is currently a developed .25 acre garden that produces abundant food for participants.

• 1,422 acres of magnificent redwood forest, including Douglas fir, red alder, tan oak, and bay trees. The land stewardship is guided by an established conservation easement, an approved management plan, and a profitable, fully registered carbon sequestration program that generates at least $100,000 annually.

• Two miles of Gualala River frontage

• Internal road and trails network

• Established infrastructure includes two homes (7 bedrooms), 2 barns, workshops, library, and outbuildings. The core area of approximately 10 acres contains all the structures and equipment. There are completely equipped workshop facilities and building materials storage, as well as a comprehensive fire safety system with hydrants and professional grade hoses and equipment at all buildings.

• Secured water resources: two developed springs for potable water and a 135 acre-foot permitted pond for agriculture, recreation, and fire protection.

• A historical graveyard providing a legal context for a Green Burial program that could generate substantial income.

• Four established campgrounds providing venues for a wide range of workshops, spiritual retreats, and nature study programs that have been occurring on the site over the past several years, contributing both labor and income to the property as well as meeting the needs of the various programs.

For more information on the property, please see Appendix A.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP

The land will be owned by a 501(c)3 non-profit land trust in order to both maintain its conservation values in perpetuity and uphold the permitted uses defined by the existing conservation easement. The operations, programs, and guidance of Cappella will be overseen by a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The boards of these organizations shall include leaders in higher education, legal and finance professionals, experts in nonprofit and land use management, philanthropists, and others with a commitment to the goals and purposes of the project.

Currently we are affiliated with two 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that are supporting the project. The Trust for Working Lands is an established organization that facilitates unique and complex land conservation efforts that include distinct operational programs in addition to overall land conservation. In addition, we have a working relationship with Sacred Groves, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is dedicated to developing and supporting green burial projects in Northern California. Both of these organizations have established boards of directors that oversee their operations.

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE & OPERATIONAL PLAN

Our financial model will distinguish between land stewardship and educational programming. Rather than relying on tuition to cover property-related expenses, we will maintain the land through sustainable revenue streams, primarily our established carbon sequestration program which generates significant annual income. This separation will allow us to focus our educational fundraising entirely on program development and delivery, supported by a community of patrons. This separation ensures both the long-term sustainability of the land and the freedom to develop our cultural programming without pressure to generate operating revenue through tuition.

We are developing a comprehensive five-year finance and operations plan for Cappella, detailing both initial costs and long-term operational strategies. The plan will be more fully articulated in the next iteration of this document.

The project's first year will be primarily a planning period defined in a series of activity-based seminars that set the stage for Cappella’s future. These seminars will bring together experts, students, and community members to co-design the school both physically and intellectually. Participants will gain hands-on experience in creating a rural-based, sustainable education center while contributing to Cappella’s development.

THE TEAM LEADS

Cappella is led by a team with expertise in project development, land management, and educational innovation. Having successfully navigated the complexities of similar projects — from land acquisition and sustainable development to curriculum design and community building — we approach this venture with a solid foundation of knowledge and practical experience.

Our collective backgrounds allow us to anticipate challenges, leverage opportunities, and efficiently allocate resources as we bring Cappella from concept to reality, with extensive experience in launching and managing large-scale educational and land-based projects. Our track record in similar ventures uniquely positions us to bring this visionary initiative to life. Our team leads are Jeff Barnum, David Katz, and Iren Barnum.

CALL TO ACTION & CONTACT INFORMATION

Cappella is at a crucial juncture in its development. We are currently seeking an initial deposit of $100,000 to secure the site for 120 days. This critical phase will allow us to conduct thorough due diligence, refine our organizational budget, and advance our planning process. Our immediate next steps include:

• Securing the land: We are working to bring the property under contract, which will allow us to move forward with detailed planning.

• Operational analysis: Once the land is secured, we will conduct comprehensive research to develop a detailed operational cost analysis, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Cappella.

• Team building: We are in the process of expanding our board, advisory group, and potential faculty. This step is crucial for refining our concept and bringing diverse expertise to the project. We will also, whenever possible, invite new team members to the site so they can experience the property firsthand.

• Investor engagement: We are seeking to raise $10 million to purchase the land. This involves ongoing, in-depth conversations with potential investors who share our vision for transformative education.

We are actively building our team and community, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss how you can be part of this groundbreaking educational initiative. If you're interested in learning more about Cappella, contributing your expertise, or discussing how you can support this initiative, please contact:

Jeff Barnum: jbarnumx@proton.me

David Katz: davidkat@sonic.net

Iren Barnum: irenbarnum@gmail.com

APPENDICES

A — Established Property Restoration & Conservation

Conservation Easement & Public Access

A Conservation Easement covering the entire property and meant to encourage establishment of an old-growth forest was recorded in 2018 by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Timber harvest is greatly limited, agriculture (grapes) is very restricted, and subdivision of the land is extinguished. The Easement was recorded October 3, 2018. It includes the development of a Public Access Trail along the Gualala granting the right for the County to construct an access road, parking area, and restrooms, subject to design approval from the property owner.

Carbon Sequestration Program

The property participates in the Climate Action Reserve (CAR), a highly credible nonprofit organization that promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using market-based solutions. Through its registration in CAR’s Forest Project Protocol, the property has earned approximately three million dollars ($3M) in revenue over the past 6 years for the verified sequestration of 90,000 tons of carbon. As the forest grows more carbon is sequestered and income continues as carbon credits are sold. The carbon project has a contract of 100 years from signing in 2014.

Conservation Burial

The land provides an opportunity to implement a conservation burial program, allowing the practice of natural human burial as part of restoring and protecting the ecological integrity of the land in perpetuity. The program will demonstrate that wild areas for life-cycle rituals, such as burials, can be beautiful multi-use areas that accommodate human visitors while fully maintaining ecological integrity and wild aesthetics. This program will be overseen by Sacred Groves, an existing 501(c )(3).

Wildfire Resilience Plan

The goal of the forest management plan for the property is to achieve an old-growth forest that is predominately redwood while maintaining diversity in the overall plant community. Maximizing diverse wildlife habitat and increasing watershed function are key elements of the forest management activity. Creating a model of forest management that maintains these goals while still addressing the economic imperative of producing income and meeting community needs is central to the forest planning.

Prescription Burning

During February 2022 we implemented its first large-scale prescription burn on the property in an effort to gain expertise in the practice so that a comprehensive plan could be developed to use fire on an ongoing basis on the property. Over the next decade we plan to use good fire to improve the health of the forest and to protect it from wildfire. Funding from a 2023 grant from the State Coastal Conservancy will be used to develop a comprehensive prescribed fire plan, hold several 1-day training workshops on site for private landowners and the community and to implement various land management practices on the property in support of this activity.

Fire Control and Safety Infrastructure

An integrated water supply system integrating the 135 ac/ ft. pond and multiple water storage tanks has been developed over the past year so that the buildings can be protected with the goal that fire control resources will not be diverted from wildfire control efforts. Numerous hydrants for refilling fire trucks have been established and fire control equipment is staged at all structures.

Forest and Management Access

In addition to the 6.68 miles of primary roads on the property, there are many miles of secondary (logging) roads developed for timber harvest over the years. Restoration of the logging roads is essential in order to provide access to all parts of the property, to contain fire when using prescriptive fire and to suppress wildfire. A recent (2023) State upgrading the road network on the property and enable the establishment of a trail system for hiking access.

Facilities include:

• Four rustic, equipped camps (River Camp, Elder Point, Pond Camp, Homestead), each accommodating up to 50 people

• Main guest house (5 bed/2 bath) serving as logistics center

• Caretaker's residence (3 bed/2 bath)

• Two barns that provide for storage and a workshop

• Small working family farm with replanted historic orchard and fenced garden

• Planned additions: chapel, multiple-family bunkhouse, and hermitage cabins

B — PHASES OF PROGRAM & INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Preparation Year

In our first year, we will conduct discovery and assessment, generate designs, renovate existing buildings, initiate regenerative farming practices, and form a collaborative culture among the creative team, faculty, and apprentices. (see Launch Strategy 2025 - 2028)

Program Years One to Three

During the first years of operation, we will continue designing and developing infrastructure with the participation of students and faculty. (see Launch Strategy 2025 - 2028)