Well, you could add "just an apprentice" for the trouble and be very reasonable. Not to mention, there isn't anything specifically barring a focused practitioner from developing "similar" abilities.
Though the thing I have an issue with is the "rituals" thing. If it's "earth" or "geomancy" (or terramancy, not sure which is right!) also, well I can't really think of anything that would be be more ritualistic that wouldn't be covered by channeling/evocation. Transformation, or better yet Wards would be a better choice.
As for rote spells, there is at least one good example one to use from the "Your Story" book. "Earth Stomp". I'm still not really used to the spell/evocation system, so I'm not even going to try to reason out spells for you (sorry). But couldn't you "make" a defensive spell that creates a physical wall of stone in front of you, or coat you in stone/gems/etc that gives you an armor rating? Or "re-purpose" the hyper-awareness ("geolocation"
) spell, have it send tiny pulses out into the ground allowing the character to better pinpoint targets on the ground, granting him a number of shifts for dodging.
Given the "earth" theme, the character probably isn't going to be subtle, but likely very patient and very good at planning. Never fighting on anyone else's terms, only on his terms.
