Calling all Angels
Become part of the dream
Imagine a place where people can go to retreat from everyday life for awhile; a place to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
You are 30 years old, have just lost your husband and are having a hard time moving forward with life. You hear about this place, “Silent Night Ranch,” a retreat that provides naturopathic care of all types, and healing council. You want to spend some time there, but you are tight on money. A good friend has told you that money is not an issue and persuades you to just give them a call and see what they can arrange. So, you take a deep breath, make a phone call, and arrange for a two-week stay. Every time you bring up money, they keep turning the subject back to you, making you feel as if your needs are more important. It leaves you feeling relieved, yet confused all at the same time.
You drive along the long gravel driveway, greeted and welcomed by old-growth maples and elm trees. Their knobby branches reach over the drive and seem to point the way. Bright-colored leaves light up the path and provide an artistic palate for playful sunrays.
You round the corner and catch your breath as the stately manor welcomes you with seasoned timber and hand-pounded rod-iron accents. Flowers of every color are in bloom and their aroma blends beautifully like a well orchestrated concerto. Anxiously, you park your car under the port and step out next to a sculptured fountain that trickles down to a pond. You catch a glimpse of a koi fish as he swims under a colorful water plant. A smiling couple comes out to greet you. They offer warm hugs as if you are family.
“Hello,” the woman says, her soft grey eyes sparkle with love and unimaginable appreciation for life. Her silver braid flows well past her hips. It is amazingly thick and full of shine. “You must be Erika. I’m Ro, and this is my husband Gregg.” Her tender arms enfold you like an angel’s wings. “Welcome, my dear,” she softly whispers.
Gregg offers to take your things. He is obviously in his sixties, much like the woman, but neither of them show it with the exception of aged hair and carefully grooved lines from years of smiling. They move with such grace and ease, you imagine they must still be in their twenties. He carries your bags with ease. The house looks old yet well kept.
Ten-foot high double doors open to reveal a large entrance way. A scattering of shoes mingle to the left, while coats hang on the wall to the right. A large fireplace crackles with warmth as it tastefully separates the entrance hall from a spacious room on the opposite side. The floors are made of aged hardwood, scarred and worn from years of use.
The house smells of cinnamon and apples. Ladies are in the kitchen gleefully baking cobbler and giggling over their conversation. They all smile and greet you as you observe the simple surroundings.
“This is the gathering hall,” Gregg explains. “We all meet here for our meals and scheduled events, such as Yoga, prayer, Qi Gong, or what-have-you. Everything is voluntary, of course.”
You continue to follow Gregg toward a sliding glass door and step out onto a large deck. Six people chat and laugh at a table as they play a game of cribbage. A flagstone ramp takes you through a raised garden that is being diligently tended to by several senior citizens, all waving and greeting you with genuine smiles.
Gregg gestures to the garden. “This is our herbal garden.” He then points toward several large greenhouses to the right. “We grow our vegetables and medicinal herbs in there.”
You continue to follow him through the colorful gardens, and then around an interesting wall of shrubs.
“This,” Gregg explains, “is one of five labyrinths on the property.
“Labyrinths?” you ask.
“A meditation path,” he explains. “You enter the circle with a question or thought, and then ponder that thought as you slowly and consciously walk the path. When you reach the center, you sit quietly and listen to the answer God has for you. On your way out, you contemplate the answer you are given.”
You raise a brow.
He laughs, “Yeah, it was kind of weird to me, too. It does work, though, I must admit. Please don’t tell my wife, though.” He winks back at you, “There will be no living with her if I admit she’s right about something.”
The long path continues to wind through colorful gardens and interesting trees. Gregg leads you down a path on the left toward a small log cabin. He opens the door and carefully places your bags on the bed. The cabin resembles a spacious hotel room. The back wall is all windows, with a private balcony that overlooks the ranch.
Gregg shows you the bathroom, where there is a large soaking tub and shower. A small refrigerator and coffee maker occupy the far corner. “We have extra towels and supplies at the main hall. If you need anything, just ask. Someone will point you in the right direction.”
Your stomach sinks as you begin to wonder how much all this will cost. You take a deep breath and build up the courage to finally ask. “Um,” you clear your throat. “How much will this stay cost?” Your voice sounds so tiny, you barely recognize it.
Gregg smiles, “Payment is voluntary. Contribution is mandatory.”
You raise a brow? “Contribution?”
“Yes, we do not support welfare here. If you come, you must contribute to the success of the ranch. Some folks cook meals, others work the gardens or out on the ranch. Everyone contributes in one way or the other. The women you saw baking dessert have agreed to keep the kitchen clean and provide meals and deserts—all healthy, of course.” He raises his brow.
You look around, as if searching for some little piece that you can offer. Your plan was to come here to rest, not work. “How much is it if I have to pay?”
As though able to see your dilemma, Gregg places his arm around you and squeezes you close to him. “Let’s not worry about that right now. You need to settle in first.”
During the next few days you speak with doctors, have a massage, challenge your flexibility in yoga, and even learn to ride a horse. You feel as if you are living your life for the first time in decades. You even help clean stalls for fun! Dean, your late husband, would never have believed it.
Over coffee one morning, Ro tells you the story of how Silent Night Ranch came to be. “Gregg and I had a dream to build a ranch where anyone could come and heal both physically and spiritually. After having a very explicit dream one night, I decided to write about this dream and place it on our website where all could see. I even provided a means to contribute to the dream, not really expecting anything would come of it.”
She took a sip of her coffee, and then continued. “One day, Roger, an elderly fellow contacted me through email. His wife had just passed away and he was left with 180 acres and the beautiful ranch home that they built together. The ranch was home to a hundred older horses living out their retirement. His children were not interested in working the ranch and had plans to sell it to developers for quite a profit. The old man did not want their dream house to succumb to such a fate. He offered to donate the place with the agreement that it would only be used for a place of healing and not for profit. The match was perfect.”
Ro glanced toward a memorial of a Celtic cross carved in stone. “Roger lived in the house for three years while we were transforming his ranch into our dream. During this time, he witnessed hundreds of miraculous healings, was surrounded by several people who were happy to contribute to the health of the ranch, and he died a very happy, fulfilled man.”
Curious, you ask, “How do you afford to keep it running if people don’t pay?”
Ro smiles and explains, “This is a self-supporting ranch. The doctors and other practitioners volunteer their time and are allowed to stay here in return. The farm on the ranch supplies the food, the guests supply the manpower to work the ranch, and donations are given by those who believe in this dream and want to see it continue. Because the ranch is paid for, the cost of keeping it going is very affordable. The donations we receive pay for the every-day expenses, and the community very graciously donates vehicles, transportation, and material for repairs and maintenance.”
“What if someone cannot pay?” you ask.
“Every guest contributes in any way they can,” says Ro. “Nobody stays for free. This, we feel, contributes toward their healing as they often find talents and purpose they never thought they possessed.”
You reflect on that and smile at how much you enjoyed taking care of the old horses. Before this visit, you were terrified of large animals. You also think about the wonderful advice that the naturopathic doctor had given you; how it empowered you to take control of your health.
Today, at age 40, you are a naturopathic large-animal veterinarian. You now work at the ranch and help others find their own path to healing. Deep inside, you feel Dean’s love as his spirit smiles upon you. Somehow, the dream of others helped your own undiscovered dreams come true.
Silent Night Ranch provides a place of hope and healing; where money is not an obstacle and everyone has a purpose.
Jesus beheld his disciples, and said unto them, “With men, this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible." —Matthew 19:26
Become part of the dream