Where the Ledger Ends: A Report from the Hinge
Moving from "buffered" to "porous"
This past week, the “Ledger” of my life underwent a significant structural change. After thirty years of managing infrastructure, legislative rules, and regional distribution—navigating the high-stakes “Machine” of government, technology and corporate life—the role was eliminated.
In the modern “Social Imaginary” (to borrow from Charles Taylor), this is supposed to be a moment of crisis or scarcity. The algorithms of LinkedIn, Indeed and ZipRecruiter are currently working overtime to fit me back into a “Director of “X” box, desperate to maintain the administrative continuity of my past utility.
But the “Hinge” is swinging a different way.
All That I Need
I am currently deep in the draft of The Moral Hinge, specifically a chapter on Saint Basil the Great and the “Porous Commons” of the early Church. Basil famously argued that surplus isn’t a matter of private discretion; it’s a matter of withheld obligation.
Writing that while standing in a job transition is a peculiar spiritual exercise. It has brought me to a place of unexpected clarity: I have everything I need. This is a confession of faith, not a financial statement. Because I have what I need, the “Ledger” of my career is no longer a tool for accumulation, but a resource for stewardship.
I’m not looking for a title—I’m looking for work that matters. Work that meets real needs and allows me to faithfully carry the responsibilities I’ve been given.
Where I’m Heading
My search has shifted away from the “Boardroom” and toward a deeper presence in the life of the Greater Richmond community. I’m paying attention to the hinges of our shared life—food insecurity, healthcare, the needs of the elderly, and affordable housing. These are the places where the “Shared Material Life” I’m writing about meets the hard reality of 2026.
If we truly believe that our lives are “porous”—that we are open to our neighbors—then a leader with thirty years of systems experience shouldn’t be looking for the next corporate rung. They should be looking for the place where the system is breaking for the marginalized.
The Path Forward
On April 14th, I’ll be posting a deep dive into the “Pirenne Pivot”—looking at how the Church of the 8th century transitioned from a communal network to a territorial landlord when the world’s trade routes closed. It is a story about how institutions react when the old “Ledger” fails.
Until then, I’ll be in the “Writer’s Room” and in the everyday life of Richmond and Ashland, looking for the next place to serve.
Thank you for being on this walk with me. The Hinge is moving.
"Basil famously argued that surplus isn’t a matter of private discretion; it’s a matter of withheld obligation. Writing that while standing in a job transition is a peculiar spiritual exercise. It has brought me to a place of unexpected clarity: I have everything I need." That last sentence is something we forget, but incredibly important when we look at the needs in this country and the world. Amazing how and when we see our lives with new clarity. Thank you for sharing, and yes, I'll be praying that you find the place where your skills, faith, and heart will be a great service.