FROM LANDLORD TO PARTNER

The church created a task force not to "fill space," but to "listen to the community." Through conversations with school system leaders and childcare experts, they realized that by partnering with MCPM, they could offer something rare: equitable, free Montessori education.

• Location Matters: The school loved the downtown location for its access to the art museum and parks, ensuring equity for families coming from all parts of town.

• Shared Values: Unlike private Montessori schools which can be exclusive, MCPM utilizes a weighted lottery system to ensure diversity and support for families needing financial assistance.

A FINANCIAL MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY

This is the blueprint for how churches can use their own assets to fund their future. Central UMC didn't just rent the space; they invested in it.

1. The Seed Capital: Central accessed money sitting in an existing fund/endowment.

2. The Retrofit: The church used those funds to upfit the 46-year-old building to meet modern code and school standards.

3. The Payback (Years 1-5): A five-year lease was signed. The lease payments are structured to pay back the endowment fund with interest over the first five years.

4. The Profit (Year 6+): Once the initial investment is replenished, the lease income flows directly into the church’s general operating budget, creating a permanent revenue stream.

"Central's ability and willingness to utilize money in a fund to upfit the building... allowed Central to then have a long-term partner." — Luke Lingle

172 NEW REASONS TO CELEBRATE

In the Fall of 2025, 172 children moved into the Mountain City Public Montessori school at Central UMC.

• For the Church: A dormant asset is now fully utilized, and a long-term financial partner is secured.

• For the Community: A public charter school that likely would have failed to launch due to lack of space now has a permanent home.

• For the Families: Children who historically would not have access to expensive Montessori education now receive it for free in a diverse, inclusive environment.

A WIN-WIN FOR THE KINGDOM & THE CITY

"This is a really great win-win for everybody involved. Central leveraged a space that was being underutilized... and the community of Asheville was able to have a public Montessori offering rather than just private offerings."— Luke Lingle, Cofounder, New Chapter Ventures