Surrounded by nature, engaging in equine therapy, and healing together through outdoor activities—this is what Maryland entrepreneur Ben Riegsecker imagined would help troubled teen girls find their way again.
Riegsecker’s vision for his faith-based nonprofit, Refuge Mountain Ranch, is one where those who need a new start can learn the tools to do so in a safe environment. Through divine inspiration—and some miracles along the way—he bought a 370-acre property that’s completely surrounded by state forest, and transformed it into a place where future program attendees can ride horses amid a scenic landscape.
Riegsecker felt compelled to his mission after what happened to his son Bryce several years ago. He nearly drowned in a tragic accident that left the child severely handicapped. While fighting through the physical and mental challenges of caring for his son, Riegsecker found himself struggling with his faith. In the end, he realized he wanted to have the opportunity to bless others. Reigsecker said he felt God was encouraging him along the way. “You see that God has a plan. Our vision is to walk through the doors that God opens.”
First, he and his wife happened upon the perfect place: a former children’s home outfitted with horse barns, a riding arena, a 7-acre fishing pond, and large acreage with beautiful views.
Then, two local organizations happened to hear about Refuge Mountain Ranch and offered to pay off the mortgage. It was an unexpected blessing, and one that helped Riegsecker and his family turn to much-needed renovations for the start-up faith-based ministry.
Though he had passion for the venture, Riegsecker’s vision needed the wisdom and experience of others. Experienced mentor Steve Finn of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, a successful ranch for boys in West Virginia, helped Riegsecker and his wife create Refuge Mountain Ranch’s program, designed for girls between the ages 13 to 17.
On campus, the girls would learn to do everything together, from solving problems to team-building exercises. Both parent and teen have to be 100 percent committed for the duration of the 12- to 18-month program. The attendees get a highly structured schedule, including chores, schoolwork (the ranch adopts a homeschool curriculum with activities that earn high school credits), group exercises, Bible studies, recreational activities, and mentoring. Wilderness experiences include longer trips spanning five days to two weeks that involve horse riding, hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities.
The ranch will be welcoming its first participants in the spring.
The need for a safe place like Refuge Mountain Ranch is greater than most realize. There is already a waiting list from word of mouth or referrals from other programs. “Families come to us at the end of themselves. They’ve tried everything—schools, hospitals, counselors, even the police—and still their child is hurting and lost. These parents are desperate for hope,” said Reigsecker.
What sets Refuge Mountain Ranch apart is its faith-based goals in healing, teaching the girls how to work on their emotions as they go through their challenges.
The equine outdoor programming helps them develop healthy relationships with each other and their families, said Bree Bryant, interim program director and equine director of the ranch. “Equine-assisted learning strongly demonstrates, in particular with abuse survivors and people who have been diagnosed with PTSD, that it is incredibly helpful in relationship skill-building and emotional management because it teaches you to live life in a more positive way.”
With a decade of ministry experience, she understands how difficult it is for these girls who come from troubled family situations or tragic circumstances. “If we are hurt ‘in relationship,’ we need to heal ‘in relationship,’” said Bryant. “We walk alongside these girls every day to teach them how to problem-solve, challenging them when they need to learn how to respond in a different way.”
Focusing on healthy childhood recreational experiences, not bad behaviors, helps them forge their own path toward healing. Riegsecker believes that something changes deep within when spending time in the wilderness. By learning survival skills and how to rely on each other for help, they learn something truly life-altering.
Riegsecker believes what happened to his son ultimately led him to a greater purpose. “I think about all the children who are hurting on the inside, with no one to show them that same kind of love and care. I believe God has used Bryce’s story to give us an even greater heart for vulnerable kids—the ones who feel unseen, unloved, and forgotten,” he said.
This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
