. >> reporter: one of the next dads called to action was close confidant ben sherwood. >> i always said member of his army, a soldier in this army fighting what he was fighting, and he had just given me my orders. >> reporter: but ben reacted very differently when bruce first read him the letter. >> i rejected the premise, and i resigned immediately from the council of dads. you're going to live a long and healthy life. there is no need for a council of dads, and you do not need me on your council. >> reporter: you didn't want to validate this idea? >> i did not want to validate the idea. >> reporter: what was his response? >> linda wants you to do this. we need you to do this. and it was game, set and match. i knew that i would be part of the council of dads. >> reporter: and that tells you everything about what bruce hoped ben would teach his girls. to challenge them. to always ask questions. >> okay, ready? >> reporter: it would take four more men to complete the council. childhood buddy ben edwards to show the girls where their dad came from, college roommate matt stire to help them

one of our new leaders at abc, venture word, a new president of the news division -- ben sherwood, a new president of the news division, that is the way you drop people in. then we are looking for a way to make them real. one of -- there is a difference between television and print. there are tweaks and differences on how you tell the story. but i think the biggest thing about television is, other then tasted and smell it, you can bring that story right to the people. so we look for ways to tell the story that do not seem bureaucratic or sort of real to people, that people can identify with. >> abc announced that they would drop 25% of their news staff. how has that been filled by you? >> you feel in terms of colleagues that you know and love, when they're gone, and the experience that left with them. but, as an oil industry, you carry on and the people who remain are great -- as in any industry, you carry on and the people that remain are great. you're only as good as the leadership that you have. one thing i can say, bragging ,bout the place that i worke from the president to the e