Desert Storm veteran Marine Ryan Meyer returned from service to his home state of Missouri to study elementary school teaching. For the past 14 years he has been the only male classroom teacher on staff at Festus, Mo., Elementary School. He often finds himself challenged by stereotypes about men who work with children.

His creative outlet and the place he refers to as his "man cave" is his new business, The Wood Den, established on the crossroads of the Twin Cities of Festus and Crystal City Mo. From 4 to 7 p.m. on school days, Ryan produces art and sculptures which are becoming landmarks in the streets and parks of the Twin Cities.

Ryan sits with his daughters Holly and Rose and his wife of 14 years Denise for breakfast. Denise, a school nurse, Ryan and their two daughters all work and attend school within a few hundred feet of each other everyday.