Living Stones Inc. is a 15-year-strong landscaping company based on Vancouver Island, co-founded and co-owned by Ryan Politano. Through a partnership with FH Canada, Living Stones staff are sponsoring children in Acul, Guatemala and taking annual staff trips to visit them.
Mike Janz: Ryan, tell us what it means to you to be a business owner who is also a Christian.
Ryan Politano: This is one of the questions that is closest to my heart. The heart attitude and humility shown by a business owner who is a Christian ought to set their business apart in the way they treat others—employees, suppliers, and clients. The aim is to love others like Jesus loves. That is a high calling. I don’t always live up to it, but I want to.
MJ: How do you see those Christ-like practices integrated into the daily work life of Living Stones?
RP: We are a for-profit landscaping business, but the ultimate goal is not to make the owner or shareholders wealthy; it is to advance the kingdom of God. Whether employees are Jesus followers or not—Jesus’ call to love our neighbours as we love ourselves is just a part of our culture. And that has to happen every day on the job site with our clients. It has to happen every day in the office with estimators and admin staff. It is an integrated part of how we do all of our work.
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| “[While on a team trip to Acul, Guatemala] this pic was taken after a ceremony where we were honoured by the students with gifts they had made for us—I almost cried.” - Ryan |
MJ: What role does partnering with a community and child sponsorship play in that call to love your neighbours?
RP: During staff meetings, I just invite [the staff] to be a part of what we're doing globally. I mention the opportunity to visit Guatemala as a core part of our company. I say, “Look guys, this is the heart of what we are about here at Living Stones. It might not look or feel like it when we are out installing trees, laying paving stones, or building retaining walls…but really it is one of the reasons why we exist—to make an impact in this world locally and globally for the kingdom of God.”
