RATHDRUM - It's not a cult, it's a new nonprofit that needs some help getting up and running to eventually begin offering business education - for free, from the top of a mountain. It's a new spin on higher education.

Because much of the damage from the recession lingers, such as stubborn high unemployment, Shawn and Barb Bonnough believe what they're creating couldn't be more timely.

Their idea starts with having about 10 cabins in a wooded sanctuary, at elevation. They've already made progress, acquiring the land.

On 35 acres at the top of a mountain northwest of Rathdrum, with vistas of several lakes to the east and west, the couple have established what they're calling the Unlimited Learning Foundation, at The Haven.

"The Foundation's job is to help people in need," Shawn said. "And that can come in a lot of different forms, mostly training."

The couple plan to offer business and life-skills training at the secluded location to those who they believe need it most - people who can't afford it, and those affected by the economy or life's misfortunes.

The Foundation will be anything but the typical business training center.

So far, there's nothing on the site except a large log archway welcoming those that can actually make it up the rugged dirt road, a house where the Bonnoughs live, and a concrete foundation where a Catholic church began building a three-story, 21,000-square-foot monastery about 30 years ago. The planned monastery wasn't even nearly completed.

The Haven "gets people out of their element," Barbara said. "It gets people out of the patterns in the city."

Shawn said, "That's the biggest thing that we find, is that we have to disrupt a pattern. If you want a different result, whether it's a new job and there are no jobs out there, you teach people to create their own prosperity by pulling them out of their old pattern and teach them a new pattern."

Some of the cabins are under construction, and they've had some groups come up for informal classes.

He bought a new mobile dimension sawmill for The Haven. They have used it to build the house in which they live, and will use it to build the cabins. They've also got plenty of logs for lumber, from blown down trees.

It's going to be a challenge to make their dream a reality, and it's going to require some good luck, too, and they know it.

"It always takes three times as long and costs four times as much" as first thought, he said. "But it's coming."

The couple, both in their early 40s, have been married for 25 years. She specializes in teaching event planning. She said she'll plan weddings for free, if the wedding is at The Haven.

Shawn specializes in teaching entrepreneurship, taking an idea with little or no money and turning it into a business.

The Foundation is non-political, non-religious and not affiliated with other organizations. They plan to go after grant money to fund some of the expenses. They need volunteers to be teachers, and others to be on the Foundation's board of directors. They are looking for three to five people to serve on the board.

Some day, the Foundation might grow to a size in which it can support some staff, he said. For now, it's all volunteer.

The Bonnoughs aren't afraid of a challenge.

And Shawn is no stranger to uncommon ideas.

He once tried to sell Kitsault, British Columbia, a deserted mining town, developed in the late 1970s and early 80s. The town included modern houses, infrastructure, paved streets, apartment buildings, a shopping center, schools and medical facilities. It also had a library, theater, restaurants and health club.

He failed to make the sale, lost a good deal of money, but uses that experience and others in the courses he's taught. They travel regularly to teach business classes.

"He's a phenomenal instructor," said Debbie Evans, a grant writer and administrator for the Kamiah (Idaho) Chamber of Commerce, the nonprofit organization Framing Our Community Inc., in Elk City, Idaho, along with municipal governments, senior citizen centers and fire and emergency service agencies.

"He's had some successful businesses and some not so successful businesses," Evans said. "He saves them (students) from making some of the same mistakes."

She said the chamber, Framing Our Community and others brought Shawn in to teach a six-month class that meets every other weekend, and includes six one-on-one coaching sessions once students have their businesses started. He teaches the classes, but brings in guest speakers with different specialties.

Shawn said, "At the end of it, they go from business concept, just an idea, to a written business plan and a 10-minute presentation for a shark tank full of investors. Some of them won't do it, and they'll go back and get a job. And some of them will do it."

Joyce Dearstyne, executive director of Framing Our Community, said she first contracted with Shawn in 2006 for a three-day small business boot camp.

"All the feedback that we got was very positive," Dearstyne said. "All participants scored him high."

Dearstyne, who herself owned an antique shop, said she likes Shawn's practical experience.

She said her organization is going to use him for consulting in the future.

Adam Bennett, owner of AHA! Creative, a graphic design firm in Coeur d'Alene, said, "The positive energy and motivation Shawn brings to the table for small business owners is invaluable. He's helped us clarify where we're at now, and helped us make a plan for where we're going."

He had Shawn speak to 20 business owners at an event he recently hosted.

"Shawn is really, really good at what he does," Bennett said.

He said he plans to have Shawn and Barb as consultants.

Shawn said they are working with different British Columbia companies to improve production and sales and make planning decisions. They are working with a British Columbia college professor to develop a sales and marketing program. The Bonnoughs are British Columbia natives.

Shawn's at times been a contract instructor at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, in Post Falls, through his business, Velocity Business Training.

Velocity offers courses to small businesses and entrepreneurs that run for about three weeks. It offers shorter courses and workshops on sales, public speaking and other topics.

One course he taught was called "Another Million Dollar Idea," part of which focused on his experience trying to sell Kitsault.

He at one time worked to establish a business called Canadian Alpine Expeditions Ltd., which would take German tourists on wilderness adventures in British Columbia. He also operated a sawmill, a windshield repair company and skydiving school. He considers himself a "serial entrepreneur."

At The Haven, they're now offering a place for people to come and stay, if they're willing to teach others visiting the sanctuary something valuable to improve their lives. Others are invited to stay if they work on building housing and facilities needed at The Haven. They couple have already had some takers. People can stay in tents, an old school bus, or build their own cabin.

"It's a place for anybody," Shawn said. "If they can't afford it and they just need to come and rest for a while and get charged back up and get a life plan and a vision, then they do that through the Foundation. The Haven is where you can come and re-create yourself."

He said he expects to find teachers who are willing to work for free, particularly in what he considers an inspiring place like The Haven.

"We're in the information age, and everybody wants to teach or take a class," he said. "Everyone's got something inside them they want to teach. We provide the space, we provide the event management, and we provide a lot of the training."