Engraving, evangelizing

The Olson family aims to share the gospel through ‘Against the Grain Laser’

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus spoke those words to the brothers Simon and Andrew, who were fishermen by trade, when he invited them to become his disciples.

More than 2,000 years later, the Olson family decided to embrace the words of Jesus in a unique way: by creating “fish boards” — skateboards and longboards designed to look like fish, with Bible verses engraved underneath.

After retiring from a 26 year career in the Air Force, Chuck Olson and his wife, Lou, along with their son and daughter, Austin and Casey, left Oahu, Hawaii in May 2014, to make the cross country trek to Lynchburg, Virginia, where Austin and Casey would begin their freshman year at Liberty University.

The move turned into a month-and-a half-long road trip as the Olsons stopped to visit family and friends along the way. With plans for creating fish boards in mind, the family stopped in Las Vegas, Nevada, to purchase a laser engraver. Then they began pondering what they should name their business.

“We liked the name ‘Grafted’ at first, but it turned into ‘Against the Grain Laser,’” Austin Olson said. “I like it because the wood we use, it’s like a bamboo composite. It’s solid bamboo, and you’ve got grain going one way in the middle, and you’ve got it going horizontally, and then vertically, or however you look at it, so it’s like crossgrain — against the grain.”

While the bamboo itself is unique, the Olsons settled on “Against the Grain Laser” because it represents their family’s mission.

“We want to be counter-cultural,” Chuck Olson said. “We want to be against the grain for God.”

Once the family arrived in Lynchburg in July 2014, they set up shop in the basement of their home, and started to work creating their skateboards, longboards, plaques and other gifts.

Because fish on wheels are a bit unusual, the Olsons have a creative way to share the gospel with those who may have never heard of Jesus.

“It’s kind of an attention getter,” Austin Olson said. “I get maybe eight to 15 people a day comment when I carry one around here at Liberty, and they don’t even know the ministry purposes behind it yet. So I always imagine wherever (you are), the board is going to start a conversation with somebody. … (It) opens a door to share your testimony and share that Bible verse. … It’s for ministry purposes to get people to be more evangelic, but it’s kind of neat because the other person is usually going to be starting the conversation. It just opens a door for you to share.”

Owning and operating a small business is no easy task. And, as the Olsons are quick to point out, God has not only used the business in the lives of others, but in their own lives as well.

“Well, by working with family I’ve realized that patience is something that I thought I had a lot more of,” Casey Olson said. “This may be one of the simpler areas he’s growing me in (and) through this business, but it’s been one of the most noticeable to me.”

Not only does each member of the Olson family have a specific role in the business, but they are also all students at Liberty University. Chuck and Lou Olson are completing their degrees online — a masters in business administration and an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies, respectively — while Austin and Casey Olson take classes on campus. Austin Olson is majoring in global studies with a minor in aviation, and Casey Olson is majoring in Judaic studies with a minor in biblical languages.

Finding balance between school, work and relaxation proves to be quite difficult at times.

“This is definitely the most challenging area,” Lou Olson said. “Our classes come first and the shop time is play time in our free time. We’re not promoting much other than our next fair at Vintage Lynchburg April 30.”

The Olsons participated in their first craft fair held Dec. 12, 2015, called “Craftburg,” sponsored by Sodexo and hosted by Liberty University. In addition to their fish boards, they sold artwork, some of which was created in collaboration with fellow Liberty students.

“The artwork we display is pointed directly to Scripture,” Lou Olson said. “Its intent is to prompt others to seek the deeper meaning and dig deeper into God’s word. We hope that our creative expressions will remind and encourage people everyday and bring spiritual revival to our hearts. We have hope for the future in Christ alone and no matter who you are and what you do, be a shining light for all to see. By simply sharing the love of Christ we make this world a better place.”

For those interested in purchasing a fish board or artwork from Against the Grain Laser, visit againstthegrainlaser.com, like the Facebook page at facebook.com/against-the-grain-laser or follow the Olsons on Instagram at instagram.com/againstthegrainlaser.

GRAF is a feature reporter.