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My prayer at the Ranch has consistently been, “God, thank you for all of the challenges of the Ranch. Now, please show me the manna.” I quickly learned that manna comes in the form of, yes, dollars, but also through delightful guests, talented instructors, dedicated employees, volunteer staff, volunteer Governing Board and National Ghost Ranch Foundation members, and supporters from all over the country and world.
We continue to work diligently on closing the gap on financial deficits and on creating business plans and fund development efforts that will enable us to be a sustainable and growing retreat center.
Nonprofit organizations our size on average raise $1 million in an annual fund and have $10-20 million in an endowment. In comparison, Ghost Ranch typically raises $3-400,000 in the annual fund and has only a $1 million endowment. We have work to do.
Until 2006 the national church covered our deficits. That is no longer the case. The national staff continues to support the Ranch with legal, financial and human resource services and a line of credit for cash flow management.
While we have decades of deferred maintenance, guests expect to and should stay in safe and updated facilities. While we have 10-20 year-old software and hardware systems, guests expect to and should experience friendly and easy registration services. And while our supporters are hanging in with us as we steadily work to change these, we can only rely on their patience for so long. We continue to be appreciative of all of your support.
Rest assured, we are excellent stewards of your contributions and have cut operating expenses to their lowest levels.
A report on the following issues:
- The sale or long term lease of the Santa Fe building. The real estate contract is with Sotheby’s International.
- A temporary (2011) and long term lease of the water storage on Ghost Ranch land (Abiquiu Lake) by the City of Albuquerque. A water rights attorney and water economist are assisting in the efforts.
- A government grant of the land currently owned by the U.S. Forest Service to Ghost Ranch for the buildings and 40 acres where the Piedra Lumbre Visitor’s Center is located.
- A research center for paleontologists and other sciences with a new interest in the last 18 months of dinosaur fossil findings, which have changed previous theories of dinosaur evolution and migration patterns.
- Developing Museum Collections Policies and Emergency Repository Plans.
- Redesign of Paleontology Museum exhibits.
- Registration System Update from FileMakerPro 5.0 to version 11.0; dedicated servers on-site and addition of a local project manager; new website development; development and implementation of Quickbooks Point of Sale system and Financial System.
- New Covenant Agreement with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), allowing for more streamlined administrative and financial processes.
- Think Tank of scientists from national labs, government agencies and universities to create sustainable energy systems with site-testing of energy models at the Ranch; reviewing funding possibilities for retrofitting Ghost Ranch infrastructure (energy and water systems). In program development, these scientists are also aware of and analyzing the connections between Science and Spirituality/Theology. This research will be the basis of programs in this area in the future.
- Continued development of programs in Santa Fe, with lodging partner the Santa Fe Sage Inn, with a longer term goal of providing Ghost Ranch program in other locations.
- Expansion of Jan Term (winter college term) for for-credit courses at the Ranch and exploration of Spring Term.
- Expansion of current program offerings in Spirituality and Faith Formation, Outdoor Adventure/Sciences, Art and Sustainability; expansion of Spring and Fall programming.
- Growth in Youth Leadership programs, including Teen Week, Senior Leadership Initiative, Youth Service Corps and College Staff.
- Addition of hens and roosters, two miniature horses and six donated churro sheep (including two rams) to the Farm; routine farm newsletters to our constituents.
- Planning for the building of more rooms with private baths and more volunteer housing. In 2010 and 2011, we’ve lost approximately 70 people each summer who would not attend without the availability of private housing. The majority of our instructors graciously stay in semi-private or dorm housing so that guests can be accommodated. We could also recruit more volunteers if we had additional housing and are reviewing the feasibility of sustainable adobe buildings.
- Completion of the garage conversion at Casa del Sol into three hermitage rooms and completion of the Casa del Sol foundation repair (just days before the 5th anniversary celebration of the retreat house). Interior work and the replacement of the windows will take place this fall.
Thank you for your support. Manna is flowing in many ways!
Many blessings,
Debra
Debra Hepler, Executive Director
There are Prayer Boards at Ghost Ranch in the Main Office and in the Agape Center. During our weekly services held either at the Agape Worship Center or at Casa del Sol, we remember those with a particular need; on a routine basis, the prayer requests from the board are removed and added to a physical offering in the service.When you are at the Ranch, please add your prayer requests. If you have a special need or prayer at home, submit your request to us by email or regular mail and we’ll add it to the board for you.
Together, we will lift up our prayers!
NEW DIRECTION FOR GHOST RANCH SANTA FE
 Read the Governing Board Statement 23/07/2010,14:47
FAQ About Santa Fe New Direction document 23/07/2010,18:35.
Earth Day Sermon
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