The concept of monks using computers to help preserve the world’s knowledge fascinates not only Electronic Scriptorium’s clients but the press as well. That’s why our story has been told in nearly every type of media in the United States and in other countries. The underlying business concept, creating a network of monastic communities to provide intellectual services, has a certain obviousness that often elicits the exclamation, “Why didn’t I think of that!” from people hearing about the company for the first time.

The Electronic Scriptorium story, however, has an unlikely beginning. In 1988, Ed Leonard had a great job, a great salary, a great title and was miserable being a part of the rat race. That was just before he met Brother Benedict Simmonds and the other Trappist monks living at Holy Cross Abbey in Virginia’s northern Shenandoah Valley. Over the years many people had commented that the isolated, pastoral setting bordered by the majestic Shenandoah River and just 60 miles west of Washington, DC, was the ideal setting for a monastic community dedicated to the dual disciplines of work and prayer. Maybe that’s why the monks settled there in 1950, forming their new monastery on a 1200-acre farm with glorious views of the great Blue Ridge.

Monks aren’t generally political activists. In fact, many people in our frantic society have a hard time understanding ideas like “the rule of silence” that is so revered in a monastic setting. So when a development was proposed next to the monastery, even the patient Trappists were pushed to the point of almost speaking out. Almost. Instead, Brother Benedict called a local environmental activist –the same Ed Leonard – to ask if he would help the monks present their concerns about how the project could impact the character and environment of the rural county that had been their home for 35 years.

A serendipitous event happened along the way and from it came the birth of Electronic Scriptorium. Ed mentioned to Brother Benedict that he did not feel fulfilled in his current job and wished that he could do “something different” with his life. Brother Benedict reflected on Ed’s comment for a moment and said, “A benefactor has recently given the monastery a gift of computer equipment to automate our fruitcake business. We don’t know where to begin. Would you consider helping us do this?” In less than a minute, Ed agreed to help.

The fruitcake automation project went well. So well, in fact, that one day Brother Benedict wondered out loud if the monks might use their new computer power to earn additional revenues during the fruitcake business off-season of January to October. Hoping to thank the monks for the kindness and confidence they showed by accepting him into their community, Ed eagerly set out to try and find computer work.

The response received from prospective clients was unexpected and overwhelming. Clients embraced the concept and several projects were quickly landed. There was one problem, however: demand was so strong that the monks at Holy Cross Abbey were not able to handle all the newly found work. Ed was faced with the decision either to turn away clients or to find more monks. He chose the latter course, and today the Electronic Scriptorium contracts work to more than 60 monks and nuns in 15 monasteries. The company’s roster of clients includes many of the Fortune 500.

Ed Leonard went on to incorporate the Electronic Scriptorium, Ltd. and has never looked back. And why should he? Where else in corporate America could he find such an unfair advantage over the competition? After all, his subcontractors pray for Electronic Scriptorium’s success.