And you can thank the judge.

The Washington Post Reports:

Sweet Briar survives: Judge approves settlement deal to keep the college open

Supporters jumped to their feet, cheered and called out, “Holla, holla!” Monday after a circuit court judge approved a deal Monday to keep Sweet Briar College open next year.

That morning, lawyers from all sides — including those representing the three lawsuits challenging the decision to close the private women’s college; those representing the college administration; and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring — made the case for saving Sweet Briar.

They presented a signed settlement agreement to Bedford County Circuit Court Judge James W. Updike Jr., who quickly approved the plan.

Even as they celebrated the victory, advocates were asking: What next? There were a host of unknowns. New leadership will take over and try to recreate a college with a long and beloved history, but one that was struggling recently and that has been, effectively, emptied out over the past few months. Some of the hurdles ahead: Converting pledged donations to hard cash, recruiting a freshman class mid-summer … and trying to entice students, faculty and employees who had been told to leave to please come back to Sweet Briar.

Some experts warned that it would be all but impossible.