date_setter_from_string.rb

  def start_date=(date_string = "")
    if date_string.blank?
      @start_date = nil
    else
      if date_string.is_a?(String) && !date_string.blank?
        begin
          @start_date = Time.strptime(date_string, "%m/%d/%Y")
        rescue ArgumentError => e
          #the date failed to parse
          @start_date = nil
        end
      else
        @start_date = date_string
      end
    end
  end