PHP is a C-like language so I'd go with that, even though I personally don't like PHP or ever use it. It will make it easier to learn other mainstream language

PHP is a C-like language so I'd go with that, even though I personally don't like PHP or ever use it. It will make it easier to learn other mainstream languages. Ruby, as great as it is, won't lead to understanding of other languages, too many abstractions (great for productivity though).