The Commons Spring 2018: Graduation Edition | Page 7

ALUMNI PROFILE
firstborn son, Edmund. Jet-lagged, wrestling a rambunctious
one-year-old, and with Lydia newly pregnant with their sec-
ond son, the trip was already one for the books. Then, one
morning at 4 a.m., Lydia remembers: “Daniel sat up in bed
and told me, ‘I know what I want to do!’ After he explained it
to me, I just remember sitting there in the dark saying, ‘Well,
okay! Let’s do it!’”
The pieces had finally come together. Daniel realized he
could combine his two loves: recording and the Moscow
Daniel and Lydia in class together at NSA
community. He wanted to capture the educational excellence
found at Logos School and New Saint Andrews and put it in
the hands of homeschooling parents all around the world.
Classic Learning Initiatives, the creators of the CLT (classic
One year after his epiphany in France, Daniel launched Ro- learning test), which is a classical alternative to the SAT/ACT.
man Roads Media with the help of a local Christian investor.
The couple credits much of the business’s success to their
His brother David joined him as a partner in the business, along NSA education. NSA taught Daniel how to learn, one of the
with their friend Cooper White, who moved from Georgia to most valuable skills for an owner of a start-up company. His
work for Daniel. The company’s flagship product, Old Western life post-college has been a perpetual learning curve: “As CEO
Culture, is a four-year integrated humanities and great books of a small company, I constantly use the skills drilled into me
curriculum. “It’s the preparation I wish I’d had before coming by a large reading list. I have to approach new problems and
to New Saint Andrews,” Daniel says.
condense large amounts of information in order to make a
But the road to building a successful small business is long decision, often fast.”
and hard, and while Daniel and
For Lydia, one of the greatest
Lydia worked as a team, their roles
benefits of her education was learn-
were often very different. In the
Today, Roman Roads is an award- ing to value reading books by au-
first five years of founding Roman
winning company, renowned in the thors from different cultures, times,
Roads, their clan grew from three
and worldviews. With God and
to six. Much of Lydia’s time and en- homeschooling community for its
His word as her foundation, differ-
ergy early-on was spent supporting
ing viewpoints aren’t a threat, but
excellent video courses.
Daniel as he got the business run-
an invitation to learn and grow and
ning. She managed the home while
define her beliefs more clearly. She
he was out in the field. And, according to Daniel, Roman Roads uses this skill at home as she raises and homeschools her kids,
wouldn’t have happened without her: “I’ve talked through so and at Roman Roads where she helps develop curriculum and
many of the issues and struggles of the business with Lydia over interacts with customers.
the years that her fingerprints are all over it. Even before she had
Now, eight years after graduation, Daniel and Lydia still
an official role, she proofed countless texts and workbooks, gave live in Moscow, only a few blocks from NSA, and minutes
design feedback, and was a constant encouragement to me.”
from their friends and extended family—eleven cousins be-
Today, Roman Roads is an award-winning company, re- tween the ages of three and nine. The Foucachons gather at
nowned in the homeschooling community for its excellent Daniel’s parent’s home on Sundays to feast and fellowship
video courses. In addition, they’ve expanded into print and and give thanks for this and many other blessings. Thanks to
live online courses, and employ several full-time and part- Daniel and Lydia’s hard work and vision, Christians around
time employees. Their onl ine classes combine video courses the world are reaping the benefits of a Classical Christian ed-
with live online classes, an inspiration drawn from the recita- ucation, training up the next generation to love and serve the
tions that Daniel loved at NSA.
Lord, one online class at a time.
Now, the Foucachons’ children are eight, seven, five and
three, and Lydia has a more direct role in the company: head
of customer service. As the business continues to expand,
To learn more about Roman Roads Media,
Daniel hopes to be involved in more programs that promote
visit romanroadsmedia.com.
classical education. He’s currently serving on the board of the
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