PUC Alumna Creates Bible Busy Boards

When PUC alumna Natasha Elloway-Negrete’s daughter received a busy board, she loved watching her learn numbers and the alphabet and saw how educational it was for children. Then she wondered if there was a busy board that taught children about the Bible. After finding only a few Christian options that didn't include the Bible truths and stories she wanted her children to learn, she was inspired to create one herself.

After designing activities, securing a manufacturer, and going through countless samples and revisions, Elloway-Negrete finalized her first Bible busy board and launched it in June of this year. Although she created this busy board for her two children, she wanted to share it with other families and help their kids learn Bible stories through hands-on play. By making these boards, she also founded a small business named Faith & Fun Kids Co. Just two months after launching the first 150 boards, she sold out, with 200 boards already in production to restock in October and a Spanish version in the making.

Seeing and hearing families enjoy her Bible Fun Busy Board is Elloway-Negrete’s favorite part about running Faith & Fun Kids Co. “I love seeing photos of children using and enjoying something I originally created for my own kids, and knowing that it's helping other little ones learn about the Bible too,” she said. “It's also been a blessing to be able to earn some additional income while still being home with my girls.”

Before venturing into this business, Elloway-Negrete knew at eight years old that she wanted to follow her family’s footsteps by carving a career in dentistry after seeing her father, grandfather, and other relatives become dentists. A mission trip to Costa Rica sealed her decision after she saw locals' dental needs and how rewarding it felt to help them. With such a lasting impression at a young age, she was eager to pursue a career she genuinely loved.

Growing up on a 10-acre walnut farm in Red Bluff, CA, she found PUC to be the “perfect fit”: close enough to home, but far enough to start her college experience. She also chose PUC for its strong science program, which would prepare her for dental school. “PUC impacted me not only academically, but spiritually and personally as well,” said Elloway-Negrete. “The strong science program and classes I took gave me the foundation I needed to succeed in dental school, while the faith-centered environment helped strengthen my spiritual foundation. Overall, PUC helped prepare me for the next chapter of my life in so many ways.”

Elloway-Negrete also met someone at PUC who would be a part of every chapter in her life–her husband, David. With the goal of attending dental school, she was laser-focused on her academics and had no interest in a romantic relationship. As biology majors, they met in an organic chemistry lab, where she recalls asking him for help after observing that he knew what he was doing. Since they were in the same science classes, they started studying together, became good friends over shared meals and runs, and eventually started dating. “David pursued me even though I initially told him I wasn't looking for a relationship, and thankfully, he didn't give up!” she shared.

Other than meeting David, PUC holds other great memories for Elloway-Negrete, including trips to New Zealand and Australia with the history department, since her roommate and best friend, Erika, was a history major. She also loved vespers, playing ukulele for the children’s Sabbath school, Sabbath home lunches, spending Sabbath afternoons in Lake Berryessa, Giugni's Deli, and hot pools in Calistoga. Most importantly, she loved the close-knit community and lifelong friendships she made at PUC.

“PUC taught me the importance of community, building meaningful friendships, and fostering relationships with others. I also learned perseverance, especially through a challenging science program, and the importance of using what we’ve been given to serve others,” shared Elloway-Negrete. “Those are lessons I’ve carried with me through dental school, my career, motherhood, and now running my own small business. I’m so thankful for the foundation PUC gave me and for how well it prepared me for the next chapters of my life. Most importantly, I’m grateful to God for His guidance and for the many blessings He has given me and my family along the way.”

In 2014, she graduated from PUC with a B.S. in biology and reached her goal of attending dental school at Loma Linda University, where David also attended medical school. Together, they graduated in 2019 and married three weeks later, on June 16, before moving to Los Angeles, where David began his pathology residency at Cedars-Sinai and Elloway-Negrete became an associate dentist. During their four years there, they welcomed a daughter in April 2022. They later spent a year in New Mexico, where David completed his forensic pathology fellowship before moving back to Northern California, where he now serves as a forensic pathologist.

After settling down in Northern California, they welcomed their second daughter in December 2024. After five years as an associate dentist, Elloway-Negrete decided to take time away from dentistry to stay home with her young daughters, with plans to return to the profession in the future. During this season at home, she started Faith & Fun Kids Co.

“My biggest hope and prayer is that the Bible Fun Busy Board helps children grow closer to Jesus while learning basic Bible truths in a fun, hands-on way,” she said. “It also incorporates early learning skills like colors, numbers, and ABCs, but everything is woven through a Bible-based theme. I also hope it's a helpful tool for parents to keep little hands busy and learning, especially during church services, but also while traveling or at home.”

For alumni and families interested in Elloway-Negrete’s Bible Fun Busy Boards, visit faithandfunkidsco.com or follow @faithandfunkidsco on Instagram and Facebook.