“I would read some scripture, preach—nothing was in concrete,”

would read some scripture, preach—nothing was in concrete,” Mr. Shankle said, adding “I just spend alot of time on my knees asking for direction.

“I firmly believe God called me— not anyone else—to get this ball rolling,” he said. Some lay persons who offer time once a month prefer to remain unknown. Others, like Rappahannock County High School English teacher Mr. Heddleston, take a guitar, a one-act play or a prepared message for their friends in the county jail.

Mr. Heddleston wears faded and well-worn blue jeans with a buttondown short-sleeve faded, pink, shirt, unbuttoned and showing a well-worn T-shirt underneath. His tennis shoes look just like the shoes on several other feet as he and his congregation sit in a loose circle and find marked passages in the Holy Bible.

He talks to the inmates like friends, discussing incidents at school and home as one would at a dinner party. He mentions other inmates who have moved away, been

released, or been incarcerated at other local jails.

There is no judgement in his voice. Just concern.

There is laughter and joking and singing and praying.

“When I went in there the first time, I was prepared for anything derogatory,” he said.

He has found just the opposite.

“They are always receptive, always cordial and courteous, always supportive,” he said, adding the deputies, Sheriff John H. Woodward and Lt. Hitt “could consider this an interruption but they are always supportive and responsive.”

“This program is very unique,” said Rev. Hobson.

‘It may not have been so successful in another jail,” he said, adding it’s “something more than just a small jail. It’s community.”

“We have been privileged to coordinate and assist. We have been welcomed and helped,” he said.

Through this help, someone may find hope.

“We have seen some change,” said Rev. Hobson.