GEORGETOWN, Texas -- As a national debate rages around the removal of Confederate monuments, a new statue in Central Texas has found itself in the spotlight.

It's located in Georgetown, right in front of the Williamson County Courthouse. Erected in 1916 by the Daughters of the Confederacy, it features a confederate soldier hoisted high in the air.

However, two faith leaders are proposing a unique solution.

They don't want to tear it down. Instead, they'd like to raise a new monument: this one, to the emancipation of slaves in the U.S.

"If you could have people to talk during the day, and come to a mutually agreeable solution, then it doesn't have to be so contentious," said Rabbi Jonathan Dade of Messiah Echad congregation.  

Dade says he never thought much of the Confederate soldier outside the Williamson County Courthouse. But after he says he encountered racism at a local country club, Dade saw his community, and the statue, in a different light. 

"I had to ask myself the question: Do those symbols tell certain people that racism is ok?" 

That's when this rabbi teamed up with a man of a different faith -- Pastor Kurt Hein of Light of Christ Anglican Church.

"We really thought deeply about this," Hein said. "Like how can we do this in a positive and constructive way?"

But not everyone is on board.

Some members of a Confederate heritage group say they'd be opposed to a new monument because they believe it would be divisive. 

"They're all about unity and healing, and it's my position that is going to be just the opposite of what is likely to happen," said Shelby Little, amember of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  

Little says a new statue won't properly represent Williamson County.

"We are certainly not unreasonable people," Little said. "We do know our history and we appreciate it."