All he could contribute was a bit of morale by saying things like “fabric of reality” or “vacuum fluctuations” in the same sentence with “Creation” or “everlasting soul.” At this particular meeting, though, he would have to make a request. The Creation Energy Advisory Board was led by the primary investor, Blair Keene. It also included the faculty of Evangelical Word University’s Department of Earthly Science, but the authority sat with the university chancellor, Jeb Schonders. Jeb was a large man who wore a Stetson hat, boots, and a bolo tie. Foster was certain that the man had never once undone his top shirt button, and he knew that when Jeb started rolling up his sleeves, he expected total quiet. To Jeb’s left, Blair Keene said, “Next on the agenda—we’re finally getting somewhere with National Engineering Group. They’ve had some internal difficulties deciding which direction they want to take.” Blair, the Houston trial lawyer, wore expensive suits with conservative ties and, depending on the audience, either tasseled loafers or boots.
