68 Andrew Ringer OWNER OF KAYCO CONSTRUCTION AND FREE RANGE TINY HOMES College of Education and Human Services, Class of 2010 WRITTEN BY JOHN STEPHEN Andrew Ringer’s passion for building things with his own two hands goes all the way back to his childhood — when Legos were his favorite toy — so it was no surprise when he entered Valdosta State University in 2005 with plans to major in business and start his own construction company. However, between his freshman and sophomore years, two things happened that set Ringer on a bit of an academic adventure. First, he saw the early days of the United States housing bubble and bust, which brought the construction industry to a grinding halt. Second, he discovered a love for teaching while working at a summer sports camp. When I see a bundle of lumber on a job site, to me that’s a grownup version of Legos. I get to watch it turn into something. Similar to teaching, you get to mold something into something. You go from point A to point B and see the difference. — ANDREW RINGER “ “ Photos: Contributed