[prog] Basic Ruby question - creating apps without shell access

[April]

This seems like an easy question, but I'm having a depressingly hard 
time finding the answer.  I think I just don't know the right words for it.

My webhost does not give me shell access.  I would like to create a new 
ruby on rails web app.  All of my tutorials say to type "rails 
appname"... My webhost says they have ruby on rails on the server... but 
how do I use it?

I'm trying to ask them too, but I'm pretty sure they'll respond that 
they don't offer support for this type of thing.  I've combed through 
their control panel (directadmin) and am finding nothing there either.