This paper describes the first two years of planning and launching a full scholarship principal preparation program aimed at developing leaders to work in poor rural schools throughout Arkansas. The founding principles that guided the program are explored as well as how those principles were challenged and retained from the initial proposal through funding and implementation. Ultimately the program launched with $1,954,129 in funding over a four year period and was able to remain innovative while still leading to traditional licensure, remaining consistent with NCATE standards, working within the bureaucratic requirements of a university course delivery model, and meeting the needs of participants and stakeholder in poor rural communities.