Open Source SSL Cert Server?

EraseMe asks: "I have a great idea for an open source project, but I don't know where to begin. I'm tired of paying large cash for SSL Certifications from companies such as VeriSign. It would be great to provide companies and individuals with free certifications, with one central server providing the solution. I would imagine this wouldn't be terribly difficult to implement over exisiting applications such as OpenSSL and mod_ssl." This would be a cool idea, but if the certs are free, how would such an entity stay afloat and pay for things like servers, office space and bandwidth?