Ryan and Audrey Roling were born and raised in the small town of Mt. Vernon, Indiana located on the bluffs high above the Ohio River. At Mt. Vernon High School they would become sweethearts, building a marriage and a family that has carried them for over twenty years together on a journey of wonder, joy, faith and commitment.
Both Ryan and Audrey graduated from Indiana University with business degrees, Ryan focusing on IT and Audrey finance, and looking for somewhere to relocate near family, they chose Louisville attending Bellarmine University where they would obtain their MBA degrees.
Ryan worked for YUM Brands for a few years before moving to Norton Healthcare where he is now the Chief Technology Officer responsible for employee support, HR, accounting, and security IT throughout the Norton system. Audrey took her financial skills to Brown Forman where she worked for twelve years before being named the CFO for the YMCA of Greater Louisville, a position she held for five years. Audrey is currently the CFO for Log Still Distillery located in Gethsemane in Nelson County.
Though they love their jobs, it’s readily apparent where their hearts are. With a twinkle in their eyes and broad smiles, they will quickly tell you their “hardest, best job” is being parents to Nathan, Bennett, and Nora. They quickly share that they are all awesome kids and huge blessings.
“They are all different,” Audrey says, “and we follow their lead helping them develop their interests.” Ryan is quick to add, “I learn more from them than they do from me.” And you can quickly see why when you talk to their children.
Nathan is fourteen and in the 8th grade at Oldham County Middle School. An accomplished musician playing both the piano and clarinet, Nathan was named to the Kentucky Allstate School Band. Quite an accomplishment when you consider only a few are chosen. Nathan’s favorite subject in school is math and he enjoys working the New York Times crossword puzzle online, competing with people from around the country.
Bennett, twelve, is in the 6th grade at Oldham County Middle School. Bennett loves to play soccer, but he too is an accomplished musician playing guitar, his favorite instrument, along with the saxophone in the school band. You might see Bennet playing in the Youth Praise Band at Beargrass when he’s not rocking out at the School of Rock here in Louisville.
And then there’s Nora. A precocious nine-year-old whirlwind of energy, laughter and giggles, with a smile a mile wide. Nora mentioned that she likes school on some days at Buckner Elementary, she especially enjoys sports, including basketball and golf.
“Anything with a ball,” according to her mom, Audrey. But one of her favorite things to do is bake cookies with her Grammie. And Nora said to be sure and not forget to mention she loves Louie, their Golden Retriever!
Audrey and Ryan both expressed how grateful they are for Beargrass Christian Church and Pastor Rob Shrader and the Youth Program here. “It’s the backbone of our structure, our “third place” of family, home, and church.” There’s the added support of Ryan’s sister and brother-in-law Rachael and Jeff Spurlock, and Ryan’s parents, Clara and Ethan, all members at Beargrass as well. “We can’t say enough great things about our Beargrass family and friends,” Ryan said. “They all mean the world to us.”
In his spare time, Ryan enjoys woodworking and building custom furniture in his shop. Audrey is on the Finance Committee at Beargrass, has served on the Pension Fund Board for Disciples Churches and with a laugh she says, “I enjoy reading and gardening – when I have time.” Which you can imagine is limited!
Ryan and Audrey shared a quick, knowing glance and then said, “You know we’re in a great place and we’re so blessed to be in this season of life where having built our careers we’re really focused on our family. Nathan will only be with us another five years before he’s off to college and we are so focused on just being together. And Nora coming into our lives has been such as blessing.”
Nora’s journey and her unique life experience is just another piece of this remarkable family. Born in China and adopted by Ryan and Audrey when she was two, Nora has undergone seven surgeries in her short life.
“But what a blessing from God,” Audrey explains, “and with all the prayers and support from so many people at Beargrass it was like she snuck in the backdoor and nobody noticed. She was immediately just one of us!” “And there is nothing that holds Nora back!” Ryan laughs.
There are so many dimensions to the Roling family. Like pieces from one of Nathan’s crossword puzzles, while each piece is incredibly strong, together all the pieces make up a family picture composed of faith, love, and gratitude.
These two high school sweethearts have come a long way from the bluffs above Mt. Vernon, Indiana. They share another knowing glance with each other and quickly turn, and with broad smiles exclaim, “We did it!”
Indeed, they did!
We Are One Together is a new monthly news feature by and about church members that celebrates the beautiful, diverse stories that make up our Beargrass family.
If you would like to be featured in an upcoming edition of We Are One Together or would like to recommend one of our members to be included please contact Bob Morris at 270-316-1267 or by email at [email protected].
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