This blog post was written by Kellie Schmidt and originally shared on South Side Christian Church’s blog under the title “Do Mission Fairs Matter” Kellie, we are so thankful for you and all of the gifts you have brought to Refuge! Do you know how I like to spend some of my Saturdays during the […]

By Cat Black In the Fall of 2017, I was asked to work with our appaloosa Tobias (Toby). Over the summer he had grown sour from the work and had begun to act out. I got a sample of this “acting out” when I went to fetch him from the pasture for his farrier check […]

If you ask us what we need here at the Ranch, we can quickly rattle off a laundry list of needs – both material and financial.   You can find a wish list on our website including everything from fencing supplies to fly spray to popsicles – which every kid at the Ranch will tell you […]

Today we received this encouraging email from the Grandmother of one of the children the Ranch has had the privilege to walk alongside for the last several years.  This wonderful woman and her family have walked through an enormous amount of hardship and suffering.  Over and over she has chosen to “see it differently”.   We […]

Isolation.   It’s one of the Enemy’s greatest tools.  From the very beginning God’s desire was to draw us into community – into relationship.  In fact, His very nature is the essence of community.  “Come, let us make man in our image.”   Genesis 1:26 (emphasis mine)  He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, face […]

At Refuge, we seek to share many values with the kids and families we serve: hard work, healing through serving others, the importance of community and connection, God’s revelation of Himself through nature, and definitely not least of these…the importance of play.  When I pray for the Ranch, I frequently pray that there will be […]

Because scooping manure is way more fun than an hour at the gym. Community with others who love kids, horses, and Jesus. You don’t get paid, but your time is priceless. If you’re single, you might meet more people in the dating pool. Illinois humidity, a pitchfork and a pile of hay in Annabelle’s pen.  […]

This is a question we receive frequently throughout the year, so we wanted to share some unique ways you can invest in the Ranch beyond financial gifts and volunteer service – which are always core needs, by the way!  🙂 Volunteer groups – we rely on volunteers to keep the Ranch safe, functional, and beautiful […]

For the past 5 months or so, Refuge has had the incredible privilege of working with the beautiful women of Grounds of Grace.   If you’ve not heard of them, Grounds of Grace is an organization which ministers to survivors and victims of trafficking in Central Illinois by providing housing, medical care, trauma counseling, and spiritual […]

We want to introduce you to the newest member of the Ranch family.  Kayla has accepted the position as our Program and Equine Director.  We could not be more excited to have Kayla on board!  You can meet her April 7 at our Work & Pray Day.          ” Horses have been […]