THE BACKGROUND:

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The idea of owning a ranch has appealed to me for many years. I grew up in Texas where open lands and ranches are common. My grandfather owned a small piece of land we called "the pasture" where he had some chickens and goats and a pond with fish. I was too small to do much but I loved being out there with him. 

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When I was in college at Stephen F Austin State in Nacogdoches, TX, there were several members of my church that had land and I would often help them do things like build or repair a fence, feed the livestock, dig a well, whatever was needed. I loved it! It was hard work but I loved the connection to the land and the open spaces.

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It was always an idea in the back of my mind that I would one day have my own piece of land to live on. That stayed a dream in the back of my mind for many years.

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Around 2016 I had the idea of creating space for people to come and enjoy a getaway and especially for veterans and Christian missionaries who typically returned home wounded in some way. In that time tiny homes became a popular idea for people and I loved it! The idea of simplicity and minimalism is very appealing to me and so that became what I wanted on the land for people to stay in. 

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I absolutely love being outside. I'm an avid backpacker, camper, hiker, cyclist, climber, kayaker and fly-fisherman so we'll need to be in an area of the country where it's possible to do it nearly year round.

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The next idea was a small restaurant where I feed people. This idea was "fed" further when God told me keep feeding people physically and spiritually in Spring of 2021. And since I love plants and growing things, I want to grow as much of my own food as possible. Add to this a love for aquaponics and organic eating and you can see the beauty.

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One of my loves is horses and it's my desire to have equine therapy horses at BRR. With plenty of room to run, I want to offer a home to rescue horses to live out their days in peace and be cared for by those who come to the ranch. We'll also offer a home to older rescue dogs as well with a chance for veterans to care for and even match, providing each with a companion.

 

The ranch will of course need a meeting hall for gatherings, services or retreats.

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We'll need space for creative ministries as well so opportunities for painting and planting will be available to stir your soul accordingly.​​

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Lastly was the place. Where to do all this? Originally I thought Colorado as I do love visiting there. I have always loved the Smoky Mountains though, from multiple visits to friends in the early 2000's. As I thought more about realities it was clear; Tennessee is less expensive, gets less snow each year and in recent years Colorado has had issues with fires. And God was starting to point me towards East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains.

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That part of the story is the dream and what I believe this could look like physically.

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The emotional and spiritual are layers in and of themselves. I've felt a lot of pain in my life, especially in recent years. Abandonment is a common theme in my past, along with betrayal, lost love and patterns of self-sabotage. God has been at work in these areas and while the path has been painful, I see the good in what God is doing. I see it in the parts of me that have been healed and I see it in the way I can now comfort others traveling the same painful path. 

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If Beloved Roots Ranch is anything, I want it to be a place where people can bring whatever pain they have endured and pursue healing. God loves us. Let us pursue the love we cannot lose and the healing He wants for us.

 

--Chris