Bible Horse Camp August 2007   Let me just start out by saying thank you for what you are doing there at Palm Valley Ranch.  Thank you for loving the Lord and giving back to Him.  With your knowledge of horses and your many God given gifts, you are creating an amazing tool to draw teens to Christ.    This past week at Palm Valley Ranch was amazing.  My teens had the time of their lives.  They learned so much about horses and about themselves.  I saw teens go from being very nervous and whining about the bugs and the heat to crying and wishing they had more time to spend at the ranch with their horse.  I watched teens go from acting like they were being put out to be there, to arriving home hoping to find a horse ranch where they could go work.    I saw withdrawn timid teens begin to stand straight with confidence.  I saw the very teens who can’t even keep their clothes picked up off of their bedroom floors ask, “What stall should I clean next”?    Horses are amazing creatures.  They are an awesome tool to bring the very best out of an individual.  Not only can God use them to help us understand ourselves better but He can also use them to help us realize and embrace our need for God and a relationship with Him.    You have a great ministry at your hands and I pray that you and your staff will continue allowing God to grow and use you to further His Kingdom.    Melissa Potts Maiden Lane Church of God

Summer Camp   June 2007   Well, we are finally home, my daughter is snuggled in her bed (clean finally-LOL). She was so tired she didn't even ask to sleep with me - which is something she likes to do on the weekends. I am tired myself, but I didn't want to hit the sack without sending you an e-mail. You know, when we first found Palm Valley Ranch, I never expected things to turn out like they have for my daughter and I, and we have to thank you for that. She has come out of her shell, she has stopped being so dependant on me. She has really found her element at the ranch and riding Stormy.  I told her how proud I was to watch her friday night and how terrific she did.  All she kept telling me was two things:  1.  She was so proud of Stormy and how he performed for her and 2.  What a good cook Mr. Ric was (LOL - she really did say that, more than once too). I know you have probably heard this from zillions of parents, but thank you so much for all you have given to her, and me as well. I plan on setting aside some $$ this summer so we can set up a schedule for lessons to continue her passion with the horses and the ranch. She sang all the songs she learned this week for me on the way home and it brought tears to my eyes. You and the ranch have brought such joy to our lives and I don't think I will ever be able to repay that. Thank you so much, Palm Valley Ranch is definitely one of a kind and absolutely the best around! 2007 Camper's Mom

Summer Camp May 2007   Hello Ric and all the "Staffers" too! Our daughter had a fantastic time at camp last week!  We can see a very big difference in her - in just one week with you all.  We are amazed!  She cried on the way home and cried herself to sleep Friday night, because she wouldn't be up on Saturday morning to take care of Sarge.  She slept with her Palm Valley Ranch t-shirt with the picture of her with Sarge on the front.  She LOVES him very much and is looking forward to seeing him again at her next week of camp.  My husband and I are very impressed with all she learned in such a short time.  Horses seem to be her passion!

WaMu Team Building Day "Cowboy Olympics" April 2007 Hey there Ric, Just a quick note about our recent "Cowboy Olympics at Palm Valley Ranch. We loved the ranch and the activities that were done. We had one on our team who had never been on a horse before and they felt very comfortable right away. We also had a few that had been riders and still had a blast. The group really enjoyed the relay races and shooting the guns at targets. The Team Building event was a blast.  Your employees were very polite and showed us a good time. Thanks again for a great day Jaime L. Grant Human Resources    Washington Mutual

Aetna, Inc. National Meeting "Cowboy Olympics" February 2007 Ric, I can't begin to describe how thrilled my people were with our experience at Palm Valley Ranch this week.  One of them has already called home to Ohio to talk to his daughter and tell her that the two of them are going to begin father-daughter riding lessons when he gets back.  The non-riding activities were also VERY well received; people loved that they were able to try things they'd never done before.  Above all the fun, the consistent feedback was that YOU were wonderful.  One lady said that what actually made it all fantastic was not really the specific activities but your interpersonal skills.  They were also amazed at the skill and professionalism of your staff!  Those young people possess leadership skills that are rare in any environment.  They made us feel good about ourselves even when we weren't really doing all that well.   In addition, several people were impressed with the "feedback" skills of your team.  It isn't easy to keep a team like us focused and in control;  your team was able to do so with the skill of  Wharton-trained organizational development managers! Thank you for making my National Meeting a success!!!!!  Diane T. Ireland NC/SE Region Head and National Call Function Head    Aetna, Inc.