Chris Christenbury learned his craft from one Bob Gluhareff who owned and operated Wellspring Academy in southern Virginia from about 1986 to 2003. The school closed in 2003 and the investigations began. After 3 long years, Bob Gluhareff was charged with 36 counts of several felonies and goes on trial in federal court in Roanoke Virginia next month.
Chris was Bob Gluhareff's right hand man and worked for many years during that period at Wellspring, as did everyone else listed in the staff section of Cove Creek Center, except the resident "horse whisperer". The numerous references to a "boarding school for at risk youth" and the "leadership academy" are all references to Wellspring. Chris learned the model from Bob and defected, setting up his own little Wellspring, aka Cove Creek Center. Bob was furious and forced Chris to send the following letter out or face legal consequences:
February 25,2003
Dear current and former Wellspring staff, students, families, and associated professionals:
One year ago, I left Wellspring Academy and Wellspring Institute of Leadership. Just before my departure and after leaving Wellspring, I engaged in behavior which I regret;
Without authorization, I used names and addresses from Wellspring Academy's proprietary documents and sent letters and brochures to advertise my new business venture and solicit business for Cove Creek.
I do not have any license or any certification that would allow me to do any psychological or clinical counseling at Cove Creek Center. Further, I was not and and currently am not supervised by a licensed clinician.
At Wellspring, I had a student help me develop my Cove Creek website, and I did this while I was still working at Wellspring.
Another student at Wellspring knew that I was developing a new business. He was asked by me to keep it a secret from the staff at Wellspring. This may have undermined the staff at Wellspring in the eyes of the students.
I have used Wellspring's proprietary information to build up Cove Creek, my new business, without regard to Wellspring
s rights and reputation.
There's a little more where Chris apologizes and expresses his regrets if he hurt Bob Gluhareff or Wellspring. The letter is signed "Very truly yours, Chris Christenbury"
Hope this helps.
