We believe the data support our contention that,in the cases of Tim and Ashley, interactions between disengaged youth and supportive adults in WBE constituted a keystone protective factor for at-risk youth. A close examination of the experiences of these two young people makes it apparent that WBE can serve as a protective factor that encourages resilience but it must be understood in the context of the complexities of these youths’ lives. These two cases comprise our first step in a program of research that includes assembling a population of cases of at-risk youth in widely varying WBE programs. We recognize that, as the population of casesaccumulates,comparis on sbecomemeaningful and patterns emerge overcoming the limitations associated with single, complex,situated cases [30]. Concurrently we have undertaken a conceptual review of empirical research, along with statistical and interpretive reports from around the world, and have begun to develop a model to answer the vexing question of which WBE programs are most likely to facilitate the emergence of resilience for disengaged youth with specific characteristics.