For Immediate Release, March 29, 2001 Contacts: Jana Muntsinger

Parable Announces Major Staff Changes

New Titles/Positions Designed to Help Member Stores Grow

San Luis Obispo, California—The Parable Group announces important staff changes and additions for five employees. These moves are being initiated within The Parable Group offices to better serve member stores and help them grow. All changes are effective April 1, 2001. Tim Blair has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, from Vice President of Operations. In this expanded role, Blair will assume leadership in the strategic financial and operational aspects of Parable. He will continue his oversight of the Data Warehouse and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programs, essential to the financial viability for Parable member stores.

"My goal is to oversee our corporate commitment to planning," Blaire said. "Our entire team here at The Parable Group has made a deep-rooted commitment to have a carefully considered and detailed plan for every promotion, product and service that is offered to Parable Christian Stores, our vendor partners and industry alliances." Blair will report directly to Steve Potratz, Parable president and founder.

Jim Seybert transitions from Vice President of Marketing to Vice President of Business Development for Parable. In this newly created position, Seybert will focus his attention on developing new strategic relationships and expanding Parable’s brand across multiple channels. Seybert reports to Potratz who says, “Jim has the unique ability to find and cultivate effective new alliances. Parable stores benefit by enjoying access to opportunities their competitors don’t have.”

Kay Cementina transitions to Manager of Planning and Development from Manager of Merchandising and Retail Development. She will employ her administrative and organizational talents in strategic planning for the company’s future. Cementina has been with the company since 1997 and will report directly to Potratz.

Marilyn Largent, formerly Product and Promotion Development Coordinator, has been promoted to Manager of Merchandising and Marketing. Largent will lead the product selection team for the various flyers and catalogs produced by Parable. She will also develop key marketing messages to member stores and vendor partners. Largent reports to Wayne Hastings, Vice President of Retail Development. Largent’s former responsibility for Parable’s exclusive products will now be handled by Val Lund, Gift Merchandiser.

-more-

Parable Staff Changes, page two

The Parable Group is a California-based marketing and retail services company representing over $400,000,000 in annual sales of Christian products to consumers. Parable Christian Stores consists of more than 300 independently owned Christian retail outlets located in North America. The Parable Group provides diverse marketing tools for its member stores such as e-commerce sites, in-store merchandising kits, exclusive products, weekly bestseller lists and catalogs. In 2000, Parable distributed more than 29.7 million catalogs, newspaper inserts, and other promotional mailings in 25 marketing campaigns.

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March 29, 2001