History
"Just do it!"...
The first conversation about the conception of Wings of Hope Ranch with
me began around a kitchen table during a play date our then first grade
boys were having at Alison's house. Alison was sharing with me about her
life and how she had always wanted to start a program that would nurture
children and neglected horses, through a Christian ministry. After sharing
with her my life/work experience as a victim advocate in a variety of settings,
I cheered her on and told her to "Just do it!" As I too had
a desire to serve, I assured Alison that I would be there to support her
in that goal. Very soon after, Alison called me to tell me about a clinic
that was being offered in Bend, Oregon at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch that
would prove to be our model for Wings of Hope Ranch. 
We
both flew out to Bend and were overwhelmingly inspired by Crystal Peaks
and their devotion to serving children and horses during our training sessions.
Once we returned home with all this wonderful information, we came to the
realization that in order to make this dream a reality there are several
basic things we would need....like land, barn, tack and horses...none of
which we had at the time. But those "minor" things did not stop
us … or God.
Soon after we returned from Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, we were invited
to speak at the Beaverdam Baptist Equine ministry where we were able to
share our vision of a children’s horse ministry. Amazingly, one of the
attendees of the meeting was Cindy Colon, one of our founding members,
who had a yearning to serve God in a similar ministry – AND she offered
her barn and ring and facilities to us for the program. What we left with
was a realization that God was indeed the Author and Director of Wings
of Hope Ranch – amazingly connecting the three of us together to serve
Him in this unique way.
During the first year and a half, we three spent many hours together
planning the non-profit business side of the ministry, including by-laws,
legal issues, Board of Directors, fundraising, horses and volunteers. During
this process, Cindy introduced us to Betty Kniesche who would end up being
an integral part of Wings of Hope by generously donating her 8 stall barn
and farm for our Rescue Barn (as we fondly refer to as the “Red Barn”).
Our amazing God-inspired journey that began in 2006 has been used by Him
to teach each one of us many of His lessons ...mercy, grace, patience and
most of all LOVE. It has not always been an easy path, but through faith
and trust in His word, we have been able to serve countless children and
our family of horses.
As I look back on the beginnings of Wings of Hope and see the how it has
blossomed, it resonates in my soul that Wings of Hope belongs to God and
He, in His awesome, intricate way, has interwoven many lives together in
a way that only He could have done to bring about a ministry that is truly
here to serve Him and to give love where it is needed.
Jane Yancey, co-founder of Wings of Hope Ranch