Question: I am trying to keep my classes encapsulated as much as possible. Any reason that I should not use the send method like this?

```
class MyClass

  def self.join_two_strings(first, second)
    new.send(:join_two_strings, first, second)
  end

  def join_two_strings(first, second)
    first + second
  end

  private :join_two_strings
end

```

Answer: 
Since `#join_two_strings` doesn't actually need any instance state, it should just be a class method.

```
class MyClass
  def self.join_two_strings(first, second)
    first + second
  end
end

```
Yes, there is reason not to do that. It is because it is verbose. To achieve what you want, you should code like in Chris Heald's answer. (Chris Heald suggests what you should do, but does not answer your question).