* VRFS-259: changing order of some things to allow server startup

config/application.rb

@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ require "action_controller/railtie"
 require "action_mailer/railtie"
 require "active_resource/railtie"
 require "sprockets/railtie"
-require "jam_ruby"
 
-include JamRuby
-# require "rails/test_unit/railtie"
+
+# initialize ActiveRecord's db connection
+# why? Because user.rb uses validates :acceptance, which needs a connection to the database. if there is better way...
+ActiveRecord::Base.establish_connection(YAML::load(File.open('config/database.yml'))[Rails.env])
 
 if defined?(Bundler)
   # If you precompile assets before deploying to production, use this line
@@ -18,6 +19,9 @@ if defined?(Bundler)
   # Bundler.require(:default, :assets, Rails.env)
 end
 
+include JamRuby
+# require "rails/test_unit/railtie"
+
 module SampleApp
   class Application < Rails::Application
     # Settings in config/environments/* take precedence over those specified here.