In Le Chambon, the presbytery and surrounding village both lacked vitality when the Trocmé family arrived. However, Magda and Trocmé soon transformed both the community and the presbytery. Instead of an attitude of inevitable difficulty, the Trocmés offered vibrancy and inspiration, primarily through founding the Cévenol secondary school, which attracted students, families, and faculty to the town to boost the economy. Trocmé recruited Theis, who had teaching experience, to help establish the school. The educational focus combined a philosophy of nonviolence and undergraduate exam preparation.

Initially, the school struggled both because of monetary concerns and the growing threat of Nazi Germany. Hitler’s failure to keep his promises to France generated anger in the French people, and conscientious objection to violence became unfashionable and unpatriotic. Therefore, external support for the school was scant. However, the school had Le Chambon’s local support, and regardless of other Protestant communities’ attitudes, the fundamental independence of Protestantism in France enabled the Cévenol school to thrive.

As Germany had increasing strategic success in Europe, refugees from European countries occupied by Germany sought safety in the south of France. This influx of refugees provided the Cévenol school with new students and teachers who joined the community.