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In an incredibly noisy world, there is a place where hope and joy live in abundance. It’s a place where hurting kids find hope in partnership with an equine friend and a trusted adult. It’s a place where brokenness finds healing and new life begins.
It doesn’t take long to understand the calming effects of the ranch, home to many “angels in horse hair”, our equine partners who give of themselves to many youths who come to Crossfire Ranch with a broken heart. Unplugged in an environment that grounds and helps work through layers from the inside out and the outside in.
Last week Anna arrived at her usual time…but the session was going to unfold in an anything but usual way. Anna’s favorite horse has been Jasper, a big ole draft cross that is loved by many, and is ALWAYS easy to bring in from the pasture, with this day being the exception. For a variety of reasons, I (Anna’s mentor) took his walking away FOUR times as a pretty loud whisper “not today”. Anna, having heard Cohete had not had a friend spend time with him in a while, decided he could use a bit of love. As I started to tell pieces of Cohete’s own story of brokenness, Anna’s heart started to connect and walls started to melt. “I’ve been abused too,” she shared as she peered into his eyes and stroked his face, “It’s going to be okay.” Anna began to share some of her story as she stood next to him in his stall. It was a sacred moment. Anna asked if she could bring Cohete into the arena. I explained that due to his background, anxiety shows up in the arena and he would need her to help him through that. Without hesitation Anna brought up her own anxiety and related to her new friend that she understands what it feels like to “be in that place”.
The horse and young human friend walked toward the arena. In unlikely calm, the two spent time walking, talking and just being. The connection could be felt, it could be seen. I believe God knew exactly what Anna needed and so Jasper, though a wonderful treasure, spent time in the pasture so Anna and Cohete could meet.
Whispers. They are there. God offers them through the noise…do we slow down to hear them?
For over two years, Crossfire Ranch has faithfully served approximately 200 youth from our surrounding communities out of a local boarding facility. We are actively keeping watch for a place to call our own and invite conversation with legacy investors and those that are interested in seeing that vision to fruition. There is no better investment than in our youth.
In the fall of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital
Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Harvard Health Publishing; March 8, 2022
We cannot but offer them our best to inspire true hope and real healing to every child. Crossfire Ranch’s pathway to resilience builds skills to develop trust, communication, boundaries and leadership, inspiring each from the inside out in a safe environment with an equine partner that is social, relational and unswervingly honest.
If you would like to learn more about the mission and vision of Crossfire Ranch as well as various opportunities to be a hero in the young lives of kids just like Anna, please visit www.crossfireranch.org.
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