CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE - The Final Challenge

"You know," Ella said thoughtfully, "a week ago, I was terrified about this whole process. I felt like we were in over our heads." Lucas reached over, squeezing her hand. "And now?" Ella smiled. "Now I feel... excited. We've seen so many different approaches to education. It's given me a lot to think about in terms of what we really want for Sophia." "Me too," Lucas agreed. "I started this process thinking I knew exactly what Sophia needed - the same kind of prestigious, competitive environment I grew up in. But now..." "Now you're considering other options?" Ella finished. Lucas nodded. "Exactly. Seeing Sophia's reactions to each school, hearing about these different educational philosophies... it's opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't considered before." As they pulled into their driveway, both Ella and Lucas felt a sense of accomplishment. They may not have made a final decision yet, but they had gained valuable insights into what they wanted for Sophia's education. Later