Cindy Bennett’s only initial concern with the sandbox in her son’s first outdoor play set was the mess it would create. She never thought the threat of cancer would be the issue that would keep Angus’ sandbox empty to this day. “When we went to Lowe’s, Home Depot, et cetera, to find something to fill that box, it seems that most play sand really isn’t sand at all, but it seems to be derived from quarried quartz rocks,“ said Bennett, an agent with RE/MAX Action Real Estate in Richmond.

The Richmond-based consulting firm Play, which works with companies to develop innovation and creativity, is joining a larger organization with a wider global reach. Play announced yesterday that it has been acquired by Prophet, a San Francisco-based strategic consulting firm that has a similar mission. Both firms work with businesses and other clients to hone their strategies in branding, marketing and improving performance.