About Us
A family, a mission, a calling.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…”
— James 1:17
Our Story
Meet the Authors
Written by educators who live what they teach.
Joe Connors
Co-author · Economist
Assistant professor of economics at the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College. Teaches principles of microeconomics, microeconomic theory, and philosophy of business. His research focuses on how economic and political institutions impact the poor in the developing world. Research fellow for The Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics.
Pam Cooper
Author · Founder · Homeschool Educator
Author of Economics In A Box and co-author of Oikonomia — Economics for Life and Flourishing. Pam has served on state organizations promoting competitive speech and debate, taught economics in homeschool co-ops, and participated on the advisory team for Florida State University’s Stavros Center.
Having homeschooled for over 25 years and graduated the last of her 5 children, she now enjoys the fruits of her labor as her family grows and serves together in the mission of For Life and Flourishing.
This is us
A family-based business
For the equipping of the next generation.
Delighting in the Father’s Good Gifts
at the farm,
rivers, mountains, sunrises and sunsets
in our home,
pottery, wood-working and making chocolate
around our table.
coffee, chocolate, conversation and food
Grateful for friends, family, and GRACE.
Our Mission
To Educate, Challenge, Encourage, and Inspire
To Educate & Equip
A Christian worldview, classical ideas.
By combining a Christian worldview with the classical ideas best articulated by economists like Adam Smith and Friedrich Hayek, students are taught key economic principles that equip them to make sense of the current events shaping today’s culture.
To Challenge, Encourage & Inspire
More than a course. A formation.
Oikonomia is designed to affect the heart and the mind — challenging students to be men and women of character who stand for truth and common sense in today’s postmodern culture.
Encouraging entrepreneurship and personal responsibility — and inspiring students to develop and use their God-given talents to promote human flourishing in the communities where God has placed them.
Why and How We Do It
Flourishing in Colombia
The profits from this course — and from the handmade products of Butterfly Gap Naturals — promote human flourishing in Colombia, South America.
01
To Support
Course profits and Butterfly Gap products directly support human flourishing work in Colombia.
02
By Joining
Colombian believers bringing the hope of the gospel to the lost, poor, and marginalized.
03
By Creating
Opportunities in La Sierra’s mountain villages and greater Santa Marta through entrepreneurship and business.
04
Fostering Community
Identifying, supporting, and mobilizing people — the ultimate resource — to work and to serve side by side.
Our Vision
Un Rincón de Gracia
A spot of grace.
A place where families, work, and worship meet. A growing community in Colombia where the fruit of this course becomes bread on a table, a roof over a home, and the steady hum of good work done well.
More to come soon. Stay close.
Butterfly Gap Naturals
Handmade products — made by our hands, delivered to yours. Every purchase supports the mission.
Ready to begin?
Start the journey today
Full course access, Student Workbook, quizzes, essays, and certificate of completion — built for homeschool families, co-ops, and private schools.