You might find this interesting.

History of Pierian Spring Academy 1999-2012
by Mary Jane De Genaro

Excerpt:
"The first classes of PSA got underway in January 1999. In the initial semester there were 10 classes and 110 retiree-students. The following year [2000] enroll- ment was 192 with 17 course offerings. By the third year [2001] enrollment had jumped to 219 and 21 courses were offered. The following years, under Joel's* leadership, saw a steady increase in both enrollment and courses. To underwrite the first year of operations Joel received a $5,000 loan from a man who insisted on anonymity. The loan was repaid at the end of the first semester. In 2001, the second year of operations, the same man extended another loan for the same amount, which was also promptly repaid. A third loan was not needed to finance operations."
*Joel Larus, PSA Founder