Ralston is a native Chattanoogan and graduate of McCallie. He attended Washington & Lee University and received a degree in Religion. The following year he participated in the Trinity Fellows (Charlottesville, VA) where he also met his wife Elle. For the last 5 years Ralston has worked in schools as a teacher. He is currently working on a masters in theology from Gordon Conwell Seminary. Ralston and Elle are the proud parents of Mallie.