We married in 2010, worked in a Tampa community of Christians for nine years, then Brian was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, forcing him to work from home. That’s when we put our trust in God to follow the opportunity and passion He gave us—establishing Brian’s childhood business, Creation to Revelation, as our primary focus.
During our years in Florida, freelance work kept our budget balanced, but we wanted to reinvigorate Creation to Revelation too. It was difficult while prioritizing three, then four, young children! We finally took the leap to make it a side business in 2016. Then, when a health concern made Brian’s job unsustainable, we accepted CTR as our full-time mission!
Brian now works from home as CTR’s owner and illustrator, humbled to lead a group of highly capable, motivated team members in their respective talents of product development, social media, writing, photography, and more. Joie gives much of her time to CTR too as the Business Manager, all while serving the family as full-time mother and homeschooler of five: Evelyn, Gray, Alec, Annabelle, and Peter.
With diligent prayer, we look forward to helping our family and yours grow along with the revitalized Creation to Revelation!
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Brian’s first art show in 1995 with CTR’s original dedicatee, “Mama B” (grandmother Brooksie Harber)
And boy, do the years show. (See … it began in Microsoft Paint …)
I unwittingly started Creation to Revelation when I was 12 in Nashville as a simple teaching aid for my mother's class at Broadmoor church. It kept growing with the chosen curriculum used by other classes, and finally, in 2003, a nudge from a family friend sent mom and me to sell it at the Florida College Lectures when I was 15, where it was well-received. We were thrilled to share the product with hundreds of families and churches across America. Considering the sacrifices already made by foreign missionaries, the product was (and still is!) free to those seeking to expand and educate Christ's kingdom abroad. (It's been to China, South Africa, Japan and South America, to name a few.)
After publishing, my education in illustrating was self-taught, but took a leap during my time on the Florida College yearbook staff. (The more I learned, the more inadequate my 12-year-old MS Paint technique became.) Several years later, with greater appreciation and experience, I served as advisor for the yearbook, encouraging the same experiential learning I got as a student.
Brian with art teacher and mentor Brenda Preuett
At Brenda’s art lesson (1994)
Renita and Norman Harber (center); Matt (left) and Lauren (right) and spouses Katie and Jon; Grandkids: Richie, Kari Beth, Emmett (left) and Ellie, Grant and Darcy (right)
First, she carried and raised me—the quintessential problem child—to be God-fearing, scripture-savvy and art-loving. Second, she encouraged me as an entrepreneur, gave me the initial project that turned into CTR, and essentially ran my business for me while I was in college. (I hope telemarketers have finally stopped calling her.) Third, beside her faithful husband, she modeled the kind of woman I would later look for, marry, and raise a family with, all while I kept her values and instruction close at heart.
There's no one quite like a mom, and I love mine. I rise up and call her "blessed."
I dedicate this project to Renita Lanning Harber. (Nana, we love you to the moon and back!)
