This section is dedicated to all the articles written about or written by John Faulkner. John's vision is to build a great company that illustrates to other businesses that you can not only survive, but also thrive using Godly principles. He endeavored to run his business in a way that God could honor and protect.
Friends,
Along with all of you, my heart was broken last week with the loss of Kyle Johnson. I had the opportunity of watching Kyle grow up around Cornerstone. I can remember him riding to work with Bob on Saturdays and spending the whole day trying to do what his dad was doing. Before he was 10 years old Kyle could dig holes, plant trees and throw bark bags around like most men twice his age. It was easy to see that he had inherited the “Johnson work ethic” and Bob never cut him any slack! Just like his dad, Kyle never had to back up to the pay window; he earned every dollar he made.
The example that Bob set for Kyle is the same example that he sets for all of us every day. After working with Bob for 24 years I can truly say that his character has remained consistent through the best of times and the worst of times. I spent a lot of time with Bob last week and I was reminded often of the simplicity of his character. Honor God in all that you do, tell the truth, and serve others. The Bible on Bob’s kitchen table tells a lot about his priorities, it is worn out from cover to cover. No bells, no whistles!
I found this poem by Monte Baker in a book I received from a cowboy friend of mine many years ago. The poem is about the difference between “show horses” and “plow horses” and their usefulness. It reminds me of Bob and the real reasons I appreciate him so much.
I talked to a friend just the other day
Who’s got lots of opinions and plenty to say.
We discussed what we both like to see in a horse
his requirements and mine were different of course?
He likes a clean throatlatch and a long skinny neck,
and prefers that their hocks are set close to the deck.
Short backs and hard feet and clean slopin’ shoulder,
and a gaskin that looks like it swallered a boulder.
He likes a short face and a big ol’soft eye,
and says these are the horses he’s likely to buy.
And when he’d completed his lengthy discourse,
on all of the attributes of the quality horse,
He asked my opinion, and where do I start?
And I said that I…just want horses with heart.
I said I want heart above all the other.
I don’t care if he’s Smart Little Lena’s full brother.
Or just how much money that his grandmother won,
or whether he’s roan, palomino or dun.
But give me a horse with some grit and some try.
And some heart and some guts and that’s one that I’ll buy.
And I’ve found it’s the same with a woman or man…
the good ones won’t quit you when the poop hits the fan…
Thank you Bob, for all that you are!
