Meet the BFB Writers and Staff

Rebecca Manor, a homeschool graduate, loves story & art, and remains in awe of their power to inspire a love of the good, the true, and the beautiful. She brings her studies of literature and theology, the many places she's called home, and a heart for homeschooling parents to the many study guides she has written for Beautiful Feet Books and strives to make teaching history, music, science, character, and literature accessible and joy-filled. Rebecca lives with her husband and their two sons in Fort Lauderdale where she is an adjunct professor at Knox Theological Seminary in the Christian and Classical Studies program, of which she is an alumna. Rebecca has an MA in Christianity and Classics from Knox Theological Seminary, a certificate in French from Institute Catholique, and a BA in English from Hillsdale College. 

Question: If you could have coffee with one man or one woman from history, who would you pick? 

Rebecca's Answer: I would love to have coffee with Phoebe from the New Testament. She was this fascinating woman who served as a deacon in the early church, and I’d love to hear what it was like to travel with Paul’s letter to the Romans and then present it to them. She would be able to provide a window into a time we know so few details about. 

Question: What book do you wish you could read again for the first time? 

Answer: As an avid reader, I find that no matter how often I re-read a book, it’s always the first time that version of me is reading it. Reading Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner at 22 years old was an entirely different experience from re-reading it at 33 as a new mother, or at 40 as someone entering middle age. Every time I read a book, it’s for the first time because I have changed. 

Rea Berg loves organic gardening, farmer’s markets, rich espresso, yoga, all things French, and English literature. She loves seeing abandoned and broken things brought back to life, like antique houses, classic children’s books, and especially lives—like those of the men she is privileged to work with at her local prison. A perfect day might be spent swimming in the warm waters of the Pacific, or reading a favorite author like George Eliot, Alan Paton, Wendell Berry, Marcel Pagnol, or Anne Lamott. Rea has brought many classic children’s books back into print, such as the D’Aulaire biographies, the Journey books of Mitsumasa Anno, the Obadiah books, and many more. Rea holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmon’s College, Boston. 

Question: If you could have coffee with one man or one woman from history, who would you pick? 

Rea's Answer: I’d love to sit down for coffee with Biddy Mason and Harriet Tubman!

While living in Bavaria, Tami and her husband, Gary, embraced the German concept of Schullandheim, meaning “School-Nature-Home.” She utilized this concept as she taught their nine children and developed nature-based biology classes for high school students. This method of learning sparked curiosity, developed a scientific thought process, and laid a solid foundation. Her children have received research honors from ISEF and JSHS as well as from the Fulbright Foundation and National Geographic. Their interests range from science to design to psychology and philosophy. As an advocate of lifelong learning, Tami hosts a variety of Schullandheim classes for students of all ages in Colorado Springs. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Pepperdine University and published botanical research conducted at Stanford University. She is also the Science Contributor for Wildflowers Magazine. 

Question: If someone gave you a million dollars today, tax free, what would you do with it? 

Tami's Answer: I would open a research school that meets outdoors in summer and in an expansive greenhouse for the winters.

Jonathan Crabtree majored in political science and German at Pepperdine University. He taught in charter schools in Los Angeles and San Jose for eight years at the elementary and junior high levels. During that time, he earned a master's degree in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut. Currently, he works in business development at Subsplash, a leading software company for churches and ministries worldwide. He and his wife Stephanie and their three children live in Venice, Florida.

Rebecca Allen loves literature, history, and the power of language. A graduate of TCU and Knox Theological Seminary, she never seems to tire of reading, of learning, or of discovering new places. When her nose isn’t in a book, you can find her hiking, baking, or wandering around her local zoo. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where she loves spending time with friends and family and serving her local church.

Question: If you could have coffee with one man or one woman from history, who would you pick? 

Rebecca's Answer: C. S. Lewis and Eugene Peterson have both been really formative thinkers and writers for me, so I think I would have to choose one of them! (I’d also settle for just being a fly on the wall during one of the meetings of the Inklings.) 

Question: If someone gave you a million dollars today, tax free, what would you do with it? 

Answer: I’d buy a flat in Edinburgh and blow the rest on a three-year cruise around the world!

Madilynn’s favorite thing about BFB are all the amazing people that work there. She feels incredibly lucky to spend her days with so many people she cares about. When not working, she enjoys spending as much time as she can at the beach with her family or back at home with her three pets. She also enjoys being creative by making candles and jewelry. 

Question: What is an “old person” thing you do? 

Madi's Answer: Where to begin! I am usually in bed by 9, and if I am still up, it is probably to Google whatever new phrase or word is “in”!

Andy has 12+ years in marketing & communications. He loves design, cartooning, watching things grow… and frogs. Andy was homeschooled from K-12 and was one of the first homeschool students in Maryland. He and his wife live in Frederick, Maryland, and currently homeschool their three children. The family is planning a cross-country trip as part of the 2024-25 school year. Geography alive! 

Question: What is an “old person” thing you do? 

Andy's Answer: Every year we still send out Christmas cards, via snail-mail—LOTS of cards! 

Question: If someone gave you a million dollars today, tax free, what would you do with it? 

Answer: I’d plan a truly EPIC cross-country family trip! (And pay off the house.)

Janet calls herself an “early riser,” not in a sleep sort of way, but in the way she’s done life. Early on, she adopted a formula: Big Curiosity + “Why not?” = Growth. This formula, combined with a willingness to work hard, helped her rise fast after emerging from what she calls “Overrated University.” Now, she loves feeding that same spirit and energy into others—those in her workplace, her family, and any others that come along her path. Faith is a big part of her formula; even before she found it, she can now see God was always in it, guiding her steps. The light of curiosity and the belief that most things are possible continue to burn brightly in her life. 

Question: If someone were to write a book about you, what would be the title? 

Janet's Answer: Start by Pretending You Can: Circumstances Change but a Good Formula Gets You Where You Need to Go

Ryan has been a part of the Beautiful Feet team since 2017. His grandmother used to read him classic adventure tales such as White Fang by Jack London and Rascal by Sterling North. Playing with his cousins in the foggy hills behind her house every summer cemented his love for adventure and animals. He currently lives with his wife in San Luis Obispo and looks forward to continuing to help homeschoolers realize their potential! 

Question: What band are you embarrassed to admit you like? 

Ryan's Answer: I am a sucker for Carly Simon and Shania Twain.

Question: What book do you wish you could read again for the first time? 

Answer: That would be a three-way tie between Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis, The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen

Josh Berg was homeschooled through tenth grade by his parents, Russ and Rea Berg, of Beautiful Feet Books. He fell in love with history as a student and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in history at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Upon graduating he held many roles at the company his parents founded and in 2019 purchased the business. He believes in the power of good books and their ability to transform our perspective of the world, others, and ourselves. As owner and CEO, he loves the process of building a company through bringing people together around a shared mission and vision. The mission of Beautiful Feet Books, to transform education, is one he knows he will spend his life pursuing. Josh is married to the loveliest woman alive, Grace, and loves nothing more than spending time with her and their incredible four children on some adventure in a new place.

Question: What book do you wish you could read again for the first time? 

Josh's Answer: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Such a powerful story of a man who just never gave up. 

Question: What is something your parents, or your friends’ parents, did that you decided you would also do when you grew up? 

Answer: That I would play often with my kids and be ridiculous and silly with them! Life is too short to be serious all the time.