Does staying with an unbelieving spouse and living the example actually work?

Les explains that Paul is saying that if a wife or husband finds themselves still in a marriage relationship with a rank pagan unbeliever, they should hang in there. Paul says don't break up the marriage if at all possible, but live the example so that the day will come when the unbelieving spouse will open their heart to the Gospel. Then, Les says, you can have again a happy marriage relationship and a happy home, and the children will more than likely follow suit. He illustrates this with a woman whose believing friend stopped in for coffee one morning and led her to the Lord, and they are still living the exemplary Christian life together today. So Les affirms that it works.