Page 42 of In This Moment
“Feels that way after work when we’re all trying to get out of the parking garage.”
Luke led the way and Wendell followed, his briefcase clutched tight in his hand. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“Of course.” Luke sat in the chair behind his desk and motioned for Wendell to take the seat across from him. “Thank you for coming in.”
So far, Luke Baxter had not agreed to take the case. But at least he wanted to talk to Wendell. That was a starting point. The first miracle would be for Luke to agree to represent him.
They would need many more for Wendell to win.
Once he was seated, Wendell put his briefcase on his lap. “I have a few folders full of information I’d like to share with you.” He had been looking forward to this ever since the news broke.
Luke Baxter’s desk was much cleaner than Wendell’s. The area contained a large calendar, a ceramic pencil jar that looked like it was made by a child, and a photo of what appeared to be Luke’s family. Wendell took the first folder out and set it on the desk in front of him.
“This is something I put together before I started the—”
“Mr. Quinn...” Luke’s face was filled with kindness. “Let’s talk about the case first. I need you to understand what we’re up against.”
We’reup against. Notyou’reup against. Wendell took that as a sign that Luke had already fully committed to the case. He slid the presentation folder back in to his briefcase and set it on the floor beside him. “I’m sorry. I’m just... I’m anxious to show you why I think we have a chance.”
“I understand that.” Luke leaned forward and set his forearms on the desk. “You need to know, Mr. Quinn, that I’d love nothing more than to help you. But here’s what we’re up against.”
Wendell was listening. For the next half hour the lawyer explained the history of prayer and Bible reading in public schools. Every case he brought up was more discouraging than the one before it. “A test is used for a club like Raise the Bar.” Luke Baxter pulled a sheet of paper from the top drawer of his desk and handed it to Wendell. “A three-part test.”
Luke gave Wendell a brief overview of each part of the test. Then the lawyer sighed. “In your case, though what you’re doing is working effectively, none of the three criteria are being met.”
Wendell looked again at the sheet of paper.Have a secular purpose. Neither advance nor inhibit religion. Must not result in excessive entanglement between government and religion.“No offense, Mr. Baxter. But I think you’ve got this all wrong.”
“Call me Luke.” He smiled, patient.
“And you can call me Wendell.”
Luke nodded. “Okay, how do you figure?”
“Well, let’s take that first one.” Wendell lifted his briefcase again. “Can I use my folders for this?”
“Of course.” Luke leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “If you think there’s something I’m missing, I want to know.”
Wendell pulled his folder from the briefcase. The one titled “In This Moment.” He opened to the first page—where the definition of his job description was written. “When I was hired to serve as principal at Hamilton High, I was asked to do the following.” Wendell read from the page in front of him.Establish a schoolwide vision of commitment to high standards and ensure the success of all students. He looked right at Luke.Let him hear me, God. Please, let him hear me.“That’s what they asked me to do. That was my secular duty. My secular purpose, if you will.”
Very slowly, Luke leaned forward again. “Go on.”
A surge of possibility raced through Wendell. “The second point is neutral. More of a nonfactor.” He looked from the paper Luke had given him back to his folder. “Our group merely presents Bible verses and allows students to discuss them. No one is suggesting they should become Christians. When that has happened, it happens on its own. The kids lead that sort of discussion because, frankly, they are hungry for a reason to believe in something more than what they’ve seen. They want a purpose in life.”
Luke winced. “I’m afraid a judge and jury will hear that as advancement of religion. Even just announcing the club during school hours could be seen as promoting religion.”
Wendell felt his heart sink. “What? I thought... I was just telling them about an opportunity.”
“But it’s a religious opportunity.” Luke’s tone remained kind. But he didn’t waver on the problem at hand. “A club you, yourself, are leading. That could easily be a violation of church and state.”
“I can’t believe this.” Wendell was ready to stand and pace the room. His heart felt like it had fallen to the floor. “I thought... if I didn’t tell them it would be the opposite. A prohibition of religion.” Wendell forced himself to remain in his seat. “The kids want this. If we deny it—if I deny it—isn’t that prohibition?”
A sigh came from Luke, but he didn’t say anything.
“The third point doesn’t seem to apply at all. Entanglement between government and religion? I’m a principal, Mr. Bax— Luke. Not a governor or senator. I don’t write laws. I’m not shaping public policy or opinion. I’m simply facilitating students who voluntarily choose to be part of an after-school Bible study. No entanglements. I have plenty of students who are not attending.”
“I understand.” Luke tapped his fingers on his desk. The man was listening, Wendell could tell.
Wendell’s own argument made complete sense to him. In fact, he would’ve liked a chance to tell the judge and jury some of this. “Those students who don’t show up Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are not penalized. There’s no different treatment, no push for them to come to the club meeting.”
