Helping others is a good thing. Using Biblical principles is the best way to do so.  But does the method of helping others matter or not?Pragmatism claims that the "ends justifies the means".  In other words, as long as you get the desired result, the method you use to accomplish your goals doesn't matter. 

That is the approach Ralph uses in his business. I know, I witnessed it firsthand. Ralph supported my prison ministry for about two years. He wanted me to apply the same methods he used in his "school"; a point system to reward students and to correct bad behavior. Such a method can be a valid means to reach a goal. However, when you trick and manipulate people to accomplish your results to make you look good, regardless of how you treat others, the good is  no longer good.

For example, with the former inmates, Ralph would tell me he would "push their buttons". I remember two men arguing over a Pepsi in the fridge. Ralph said he would put one there intentionally to see if they would fight over it. This was his approach. He wanted me to forbid them to purchase ice cream with the the money they earned from their job. He didn't want them to have any luxuries. 

For Ralph, food is a big item. He uses it in his "school" (business) to manipulate his students. If they do what he says, they might get pizza at noon. If they don't do what he says, they might get a broccoli sandwich at 1.

When a student is upset about such treatment and says he is going to call "Ralph" at home, Ralph says, "go ahead, I'm in the phone book". Ralph indicated to me and my wife this is the way he tricks them into thinking they will find him, when they NEVER will since his real name is in the phone book, not the "fake name" everyone knows him by.

In reviewing Ralph's "school" website we another likely example of his deception. A testimonial is given saying, "Impact Academy is like no other special ed program. The staff there really do care about the kids. This is NO babysitting program!" R. A. , Canton

Or course, R. A. are Ralph's true initials, but no one would know that. Just another example of Ralph's deceptions. I was involved in a counselling case with another gentleman last year in which Ralph was also involved. After I observed Ralph trying to deceive the counsellor who was helping this family, I called out his deception. The other gentleman involved admitted that Ralph is "controlling, manipulative, and sneaky". Those who know Ralph well, beyond the surface, know this to be true. It is part of the reason that Ralph is unwilling to sit down with a Christian mediator to work toward unity, I believe he knows his appearance of honesty and truth will be revealed as false.