BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Governing With Purpose.
The Blue Ridge Christian School Board of Directors provides faithful oversight, strategic direction, and accountability in support of the school’s mission.
Working in partnership with school leadership, the Board helps ensure that BRCS remains rooted in Christ, committed to academic excellence, and faithful in its stewardship of the resources and responsibilities entrusted to the school.
THE ROLE OF THE BOARD
Leadership. Stewardship. Accountability.
The Board of Directors serves as the governing body of Blue Ridge Christian School, providing oversight and long-range leadership while entrusting the daily operation of the school to the Head of School and administrative team.
MISSION
Guard the Mission.
Help ensure that the mission, vision, and foundational commitments of BRCS remain central to decision-making.
GOVERNANCE
Provide Oversight.
Establish policies and provide accountability for the long-term health and direction of the school.
STEWARDSHIP
Steward Wisely.
Exercise responsible oversight of financial resources, facilities, and strategic priorities.
PARTNERSHIP
Support Leadership.
Work in partnership with the Head of School while maintaining appropriate governance and accountability.
MEET THE BOARD
Serving BRCS With Faithfulness.
Stephanie Crawford
(Board Term 2026 – 2029)
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Stephanie Crawford (Board Term 2026 – 2029) has called Virginia home since 2000, moving here from Illinois to attend James Madison University. Her educational and career path brought her to serve in various healthcare settings, wrapping up the last 7 years of her professional career as the Executive Director at Comfort Care Women’s Health – a life- affirming nonprofit that serves the Augusta & Rockbridge areas. In 2024, she resigned from her position in an obedient response to the Lord’s calling, receiving the gift of coming home. Since then, she’s been blessed to spend more time with her husband, Ches, and son, Jaden, a Kindergartener at BRCS. Her family attends Crosslink Community Church, where she and her husband currently serve in the Kidslink ministry and annually with the VBS team.
Sarah DeBoer
(Board Term 2025 – 2028)
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Sarah DeBoer (Board Term 2025 – 2028) is originally from Delaware, but arrived in Harrisonburg in 1998 to attend James Madison University. She then attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS where she received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling. Sarah then moved back to the Valley to work as a licensed counselor at Journey Counseling Ministries beginning in 2008 and was the Clinical Director from 2019-2022. Sarah now serves as the Associate Director of Women’s Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church, where she has been a member since 1999. They are the parents to three BRCS students. Sarah enjoys being outside, organizing, spending time with friends, and playing games.
Sarah says, “BRCS stands out for its foundational commitment to biblical instruction, teaching our children to see themselves and this world through the lens of scripture, and I am honored to use my gifts to continue building on what the Board has already been doing to empower our wonderful teachers and staff.”
Savanna Funkhouser
(Board Term 2025 – 2028)
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Savanna Funkhouser (Board Term 2025 – 2028) and her husband, Chad, are parents to three BRCS students. Savanna has enjoyed volunteering as a homeroom parent. She is also involved in the Crosslink Community Church Little Links Preschool ministry and serves as a Preschool Team leader on the VBS leadership team. Professionally, Savanna has spent much of her career working with the state legislature and currently works as the Associate Director of State Government Relations at James Madison University. She is also in the process of completing her MBA. Outside of work and school, Savanna stays busy with her children’s dance, swim, and golf activities, and in her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling.
Savanna says she is so grateful for all that BRCS has given to their family, and sees serving on the Board as a meaningful way to give back and support the school as it continues to grow.
Patrick Keefe
(Board Term 2025 – 2028)
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Patrick Keefe (Board Term 2025 – 2028) was raised in a small rural region of western Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from high school, he served in the United States Army before returning to Pennsylvania to begin his undergraduate degree. He graduated from chiropractic school in 2004, and after working in a chiropractic clinic near Washington, D.C., he relocated to the Shenandoah Valley to start his own practice. In 2006, he founded Shenandoah Chiropractic, PC, and has worked there ever since.
When not at the office, Patrick enjoys time with his wife Tanja, sons Sean (8th) and Aiden (4th), and their lovable little dachshund. Family activities include hiking, travel, golf and running, as well as hunting and fishing. The family attends Crosslink Community Church, and have had children attending BRCS since 2019. After experiencing the positive change BRCS made in his son’s life upon transferring from public school, Patrick is honored to serve on the BRCS Board and give back to the school which has been a tremendous blessing to the Keefe family.
Pearl Hurst
(Board Term 2025-2028)
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Pearl Hurst is a proud BRCS parent since
2019 with four kids, Violet, Henry, Oliver,
and Peter, currently scattered across 11th,
9th, 6th, and 4th grade. Her family moved
to Virginia in 2017 from a farm in
Washington State, trading Ponderosa
pines and gravel roads for rolling hills and
fireflies. Her husband, AJ, is a dialysis nurse
for UVA and her partner in everything.
They’ve been married since 2004 and
Pearl says, “he’s the ultimate dad – kind,
wise, and quick with the dad jokes.”
Pearl Hurst
Patrick Keefe was raised in a small rural region of western
Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from high school, he served in the
United States Army before returning to Pennsylvania to begin his
undergraduate degree. He graduated from chiropractic school in
2004, and after working in a chiropractic clinic near Washington,
D.C., he relocated to the Shenandoah Valley to start his own
practice. In 2006, he founded Shenandoah Chiropractic, PC, and
has worked there ever since.
When not at the office, Patrick enjoys time with his wife Tanja,
sons Sean (7th) and Aiden (3rd), and their lovable little
dachshund. Family activities include hiking, travel, golf and
running, as well as hunting and fishing. The family attends
Crosslink Community Church, and have had children attending
BRCS since 2019. After experiencing the positive change BRCS
made in his son’s life upon transferring from public school, Patrick
was honored to learn about the potential to serve on the BRCS
Board, and give back to the school which has been a tremendous
blessing to the Keefe family.
Patrick Keefe
When they’re not juggling school drop-offs and cheering from the sidelines, they run a marketing business and stay
active in their church community, Aletheia, where they are honored to serve as partners in ministry. Pearl hopes to join
the Board because she cares deeply about BRCS and wants to help carry the load of making this school all it’s meant
to be. She says, “I know great schools don’t just happen – they’re built, nurtured, and thoughtfully led—and I’d love to
bring my problem-solving and galvanizing skills to the team.” In her downtime, Pearl plays the violin, dabbles in art,
and tries to solve the daily Wordle puzzle before her kids.
Josh Puffenbarger
(Board Term 2026 – 2029)
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Josh Puffenbarger (Board Term 2026 – 2029) is a lifelong resident of Augusta and Rockingham counties, currently residing in Mount Solon with his wife Amber and their twin daughters, Brittley and Rhenley. Josh and Amber own Allied Auctioneers & Associates, which they started in 2013. Beyond his business, Josh is actively involved in the community, supporting youth through volunteer auctioneering at county fairs and 4-H/FFA programs. He serves as Chairman of the Board at Victory Fellowship Church and is a past President of the Virginia Auctioneers Association, bringing valuable board governance experience to BRCS.
Yvonne Reese
(Board Term: 2026 – 2029)
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Yvonne Reese (Board Term: 2026 – 2029) and her husband, Jason, have been BRCS parents since 2022 after moving to the Valley from northern Virginia. Their daughter, Keirsten, is in 8th grade. Yvonne is proud of her upbringing in a military family which afforded her the opportunity to live in Germany for several years. She is a medical Speech Language Pathologist. Yvonne and her family attend Crosslink Community Church where she serves in the nursery and other ministries. She and her husband are also a part of a church plant team for a new church plant in Elkton. She enjoys spending time with her family and German Shepherd, traveling, hiking, and exploring new places.
Derek Wyse
(Board Term 2021-2024, 2025-2028)
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Derek Wyse, (Board Term 2021-2024, 2025-2028) is President of Wyse Enterprises which develops and sells software applications for summer camps and conference/retreat centers. He lives in Harrisonburg with his two children, Brenden and Keira. He is a member of the tech team at Church of the Nazarene and also is a coach in the BRCS basketball program.
BOARD SERVICE
Called to Steward Something Bigger.
Board service at BRCS is more than organizational leadership. It is a commitment to steward the mission of Christian education with wisdom, humility, prayer, and integrity.
Board members bring varied experience and perspectives while sharing a commitment to the mission and foundational beliefs of Blue Ridge Christian School.
Excellence Requires Faithful Oversight.
As an accredited Christian school, BRCS is held accountable to established standards in academics, character development, student life, school administration, operations, and board governance. BRCS was most recently reaccredited in 2024.
GOVERNANCE + LEADERSHIP
Different Roles. One Mission.
Strong schools depend on clear leadership and shared accountability. At BRCS, the Board of Directors and Head of School serve distinct roles while working toward the same mission: faithfully stewarding the school and supporting students, families, faculty, and staff.
THE BOARD
Governs & Provides Oversight
The Board focuses on the long-term health and direction of BRCS through:
• Mission & policy oversight
• Strategic planning
• Financial stewardship
• Governance & accountability
• Support and evaluation of the Head of School
Board Committees
Campaign • Capital Projects • Facilities • Finance • Governance
THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Leads & Implements
The Head of School is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BRCS, including:
• Faculty and staff leadership
• Academic and student programs
• School operations
• Implementation of strategic priorities
• Leadership of the administrative team
Leadership Committees
Crisis Management • Leadership Team • Academic Leadership Team
FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
Serving Today. Planning for Tomorrow.
The Board of Directors is committed to faithfully stewarding the mission of Blue Ridge Christian School so that future generations of students can continue to grow rooted in Christ, joyful in learning, and faithful in service.