My client asked me what I would need to get started, and I told him that the first thing I would need would be some computers, software, and a place. After some more discussion, we agreed that I should begin my project with 5 or 6 computers. These were to be new computers because we wanted the kids to have the advantage of running the newest software. My client decided that he would provide the computers, but I would have to find the place.

The next night, after Bible study, I cornered my pastor and told him that one of my dreams was about to bear fruit. I asked him if he could provide some space in the church to hold training sessions. My pastor told me that he liked the idea, but would not have any space until the new building was finished in another 6 months. He said that if I could wait, he could give me a room. He also said that he didn't really think that the program should be in the suburbs. He said, "If you are going to do something like this, You ought to be in the hood!" I was disappointed about not being able to use the church, but I was not about to give up.

It just so happened that I had been selected for jury duty, which meant that I had to drive to downtown Tampa by way of I-275 -- a way I usually don't have to travel. The traffic on I-275 was horrendous, as usual, so I exited and took Nebraska Avenue as a side street to get downtown. The traffic on Nebraska was not much better, but I decided to continue because I already had a taste of the congestion of the expressway. As I drove down Nebraska, the words "You ought to be in the hood" kept ringing in my ears, and I came to the realization that I was 'in the hood. As I drove, I started to notice some of the buildings, and made notes about which ones might be a good location for the computer classes.