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Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions, Inc.
101 Rodeo Dr.
Spring Creek, PA 16436
Return Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
FRANKLIN, TN
PERMIT NO. 357
BOX CROSS
Spring 2015
Miracle Mountain Ranch
Sounds
By Matt Cox
Wintertime in Northwestern Pennsylvania often involves an ample portion
of snow. When people ask me where I live, I’ll often explain our location
according to the proximity to the city of Erie. However, during the winter
months I often just explain to folks that I live under the bottom edge of the
big snowﬂake on the weather map.
While snow is a way of life in this part of the country, there is another
aspect of winter’s presence I don’t recognize until I realize its absence.
That wintry quality is silence. At night, and particularly with a heavy
snow, the woods and ﬁelds around the Ranch are silent. In contrast
however, this past winter found quite a lot of noise being made on New
Year’s Eve as we watched in wonder as the tally of contributions went
up, allowing the Ranch to pay off our mortgage. (See article on page 3.)
Originally anticipated to take 20 years to pay, God chose to do it in just
ﬁve. That night the air was ﬁlled with the sounds of “Praise the Lord” and
“Hallelujah!”
Spring’s arrival brings the unmistakable sound of peepers, which are at the
forefront of the night sounds that will continue on until winter dormancy
arrives again. Spring, summer, and fall have amazing sounds. Springtime
at the Ranch means sounds of activity recovering from the long winter
and quickly preparing for the spring retreats and summer camp season.
Summertime at the Ranch is certainly ﬁlled with its own amazing sounds.
One of my favorites is the sound of kids playing. Games are full of
cheering, laughter, and shouting. There is a freedom exhibited by the kids
as they lose themselves in play. Free from social pressures to conform or
ﬁt in, fear that can suppress, and the pressure to carry things they are not
equipped to, are left on the sidelines as they truly express themselves. It
can get loud and it makes my heart happy.
You see, we’ve all been making noise since we were born. With each of
my children, I waited to hear that ﬁrst cry that assured me that they were
breathing and their lungs were working properly. None of my ﬁve kids
have ever had trouble with volume (perhaps they get it from their mother).
Interestingly enough however, the next measurement of my children’s
health was found in their silence as they were held by my wife. The pain
and discomfort of being birthed elicited crying, but the following silence
reﬂected the security of a relationship. We are surrounded all the time by
sounds; some good and afﬁrming, others alerting us to pain or need.
Another great summer sound is the white noise of the woods at night,
mufﬂed slightly by the sound of a campﬁre. These are sounds I do my best
to drown out so I can hear the voices of the testimonies that youth and staff
alike share regarding the faithfulness of how God ministered to their hearts
during a week of camp.
Many folks who come to the Ranch have lives that are full of not just
sounds, but noise, mine included. Some of that noise is just the reality of
life, but for some it is calculated to help drown out sounds they’d rather
not hear. The difﬁculty is that even well-intended or obvious sounds can
compete in our lives with our ability to hear God, as in the account of
Elijah’s interaction with God on Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-13). God did
not speak to Elijah through the strong wind, the earthquake, or even the
ﬁre, but it was in a still small voice that Elijah knew he was hearing God.
Sometimes we are afraid of the quiet. Just as the quietness of country life
around the Ranch can be intimidating to some, so can quieting our spirits
before God. It is often the unknown that scares us. I remember when we
were newlyweds and we felt the need to bring security by ﬁlling the air
with conversation. But once we could enjoy just being together without
the need for talking, we knew we had reached a greater security in our
relationship. A preacher I listened to years ago expressed it this way. He
spent days and days praying faithfully to the Lord but still felt a void in the
relationship. Then one day, he felt the Lord asking him to just be quiet and
love on Him. I believe our ability to be quiet before the Lord is a direct
reﬂection of the security we place on and in that relationship. Oh that we
would learn the joy of being still and knowing that God is who He says He
is. So as we celebrate the many wonderful sounds of spring and summer,
may our hearts also ﬁnd a restful security in being quiet before God.
Matt Cox
Executive Director
Teddy Purdie, sixth in a family of eight kids, grew up in Hartford, CT and graduated from the School of
Discipleship here at MMR in 2011. Following his graduation, he returned often to volunteer his time for our
various events and summer camp. After a few years of running his own custom construction and landscaping
business back in Conneticut, Teddy answered the call in the fall of 2014 to join our staff as the Activities
Director.
Teddy has many responsibilities around the Ranch including managing Boys Wilderness and Paintball camps,
leading student work crews, assisting with retreats and events, as well as researching new ideas for the
Programming Department. He is passionate about pouring into the students in the School of Discipleship and
working alongside them to impact kids with the Gospel.
God has gifted Teddy with a fun, energetic personality that lends itself well to showing people Christ’s love
through games and activities. MMR is greatly blessed to have Teddy as part of our team and we are excited to
see how the Lord uses him.
Teddy is still working to raise the ﬁnancial support he needs. To give toward his support, visit www.mmrm.org
and click Donate under the Quick Links section.
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Spring 2015
814-664-7673
Progress Report
These past few months have been exciting ones for us. We’ve seen the
hand of the Lord on our ministry in a whole new way and it’s given us great
cause to rejoice in His goodness.
In the fall of last year, a friend and supporter of MMR pledged to match
anything we could raise, up to $300,000 before December 31st, toward
the retirement of the mortgage on our land. The number climbed slowly at
ﬁrst, and then shot up by the last week, sending us above and beyond our
goal amount. By around 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, we had raised the
full amount needed to pay off our mortgage. The total raised within that
timeframe was $364,600, bringing our grand total to $664,600—a record
amount raised within a three-month period.
As always, we welcome volunteers to help us with these projects. To ﬁnd
out how you can help, contact Mark Brenner directly at (814) 964-9651.
Speaking of summer camp, we have a lot going on to help build our
Scholarship Fund. For ﬁfty years, Miracle Mountain Ranch has worked
hard to make sure that no children have ever been kept from coming to
camp for lack of funds. Last year, we were able to grant 348 scholarships
to kids who would not have otherwise been able to afford camp. Different
events and fundraisers are held year-round so that you can help us make that
possible. Our goal this year is to raise $80,000. Here are some upcoming
events—we hope you’ll join us!
RANCH RUN - MAY 25TH ............................................ page 5
As staff, we experienced many emotions that night as we watched the GOLF SCRAMBLE - July 18th ...................................... page 6
numbers climb. There were smiles and tears as we considered the way God
provided for this request. We are still amazed at the thought of what a mighty
God we serve! To those who so generously gave toward the Matching Fund,
your donation is a three-fold blessing. Not only was your gift doubled, but
the quick payment of our mortgage has saved us $260,000 in interest. What
an incredible gift! Thank you for taking part in this exciting opportunity
from the Lord.
As we move forward with this year, there are many things on the docket as
we prepare for summer. We are pushing to re-roof some of the bunkhouses,
as well as complete our new and expanded Archery Range. As funds
allow, we are also aiming to complete the bunkrooms in our Brokenstraw
Bathhouse & Inn, which would provide us with housing for up to 52 more
people at a time. We need approximately $75,000 to ﬁnish the bunk rooms.
Speciﬁcally, we are working on installing the ﬁre surpression system in
that building so our rooms will be up to standard for use in the summer.
Giving Response Card
You can also be a great help to us by recommending kids for us to scholarship
to camp. Are there kids in your church, school, or community who might
beneﬁt from a full or partial scholarship? It is our privilege to extend that
gift to families in need of funds. To inquire about scholarships, call our
ofﬁce at (814) 664-7673 and ask for Heidi.
Thank you for your continued support of the Lord’s work here at Miracle
Mountain Ranch. So many people reach out to help in a variety of ways and
we marvel at the many ways the Lord provides.
Send your donation to:
Miracle Mountain Ranch
101 Rodeo Drive
Spring Creek, PA 16436
Please send my tax deductible receipt to:
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________ State: ______________ Zip: ______________
Phone: _________________________ E-mail: __________________________________
o $100
o $250
o $500
o $1,250
o $2,500
o $5,000
o $10,000
o $25,000
o Other: $ _________
You may also give online at www.mmrm.org.
Go to “Donate” on the home page or call (814) 664-7673 for more information.
MiracleMountainRanch.org
Spring 2015
Mark Brenner
Chief Financial Ofﬁcer
Gifts Given
In honor of
Sandra Stoel-Bulkley and Family
and in memory of
Daniel R. Schell III
Emily P. Caselinuovo
814-664-7673
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Retreats & Events
Reining Clinic:
April 24th - 26th
One of the fastest growing riding disciplines, Reining has wide appeal to both Western and English riders. Often
referred to as “Cowboy Dressage,” Reining, like Dressage, requires smooth and virtually effortless-looking execution
of patterns. Reining is a judged event, designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the conﬁnes
of a show arena.
Whether you are beginner or a seasoned reining veteran, come and learn the fundamentals of this exciting sport, or
hone your skills as a rider and competitor. You are sure to enjoy fun, fellowship, and a weekend ﬁlled with quality
instruction geared at developing both you and your horse in a relaxing atmosphere.
Riders must bring their own horse. Contact MMR to obtain the necessary forms, boarding cost, and vaccination
requirements. For pricing and more information, visit MMRM.org. All horses must have a current Rabies Certiﬁcate,
Flu, Tetanus and Coggins.
Father-Daugher Retreat:
May 1st - 3rd
Join us for Miracle Mountain Ranch’s Father-Daughter Retreat. The relationship between a father and daughter is very
crucial, so we have created a weekend to reconnect without other distractions, culminating with a banquet on Saturday
evening. Come for a weekend of quality time, refreshing fellowship, and rich truths from God’s Word that will better
equip dads and their girls to live their lives for the glory of Jesus Christ. Active Options: shooting sports, archery, trail
rides, and our low-ropes Conﬁdence Course. Relaxed Options: crafts, campﬁre, Buckboard Store, and free time spent
in the game room.
We encourage each father to bring only one daughter in order to focus their time with them, but if you desire to,
you may choose to bring more than one daughter. Fathers (or guardians) and daughters will be housed separately.
We will provide female staff in the girl bunkhouses to minister to any needs that may arise.
Cost: $115.00 per person
Father-Son Retreat:
May 29th -31st
Join the ranch staff for the Father-Son retreat weekend at Fort Wilderness, our outpost camp. Take this opportunity
to get away and share some quality bonding time together in the great outdoors. This is a rustic retreat with awesome
activities such as shooting sports, great food, hiking, trail rides, paintball, and team building on our low-ropes
Conﬁdence Course.
Speaker: Matt Mitchell is Heather’s hubby and daddy to Robin, Andrew, Peter and Isaac. He has pastored Lanse
Evangelical Free Church since 1998 and recently authored the book Resisting Gossip. A graduate of Moody
Bible Institute and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Pastor Matt received his doctorate in biblical counseling
from Westminster Theological Seminary in 2012. Matt is active in his family of churches, the Evangelical Free
Church of America and is the book-review coordinator for EFCA Today. He loves getting to talk about Jesus at
conferences, seminars, retreats and workshops.
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MiracleMountainRanch.org
Spring 2015
814-664-7673
Spring Horse Lovers:
May 8th - 10th
Are you looking for a weekend adventure centered around a western atmosphere with qualiﬁed instructors to broaden
your horsemanship skills? With many classes of horsemanship to choose from, this weekend is designed to have
something for everyone; whether you are a beginner or a seasoned horseman. The weekend will give you insights
into riding and training skills while developing a deeper relationship with Christ. Come join our qualiﬁed staff for a
weekend of scenic trail riding, practical ground classes, and valuable horsemanship instruction. There will be some
open ﬁre cooking and many hands-on cowboy experiences that are all ﬂavored with an ample portion of genuine
western hospitality. Hope to see you there!
If you would like to bring your own horse, contact MMR to obtain the necessary forms, boarding cost, and vaccination
requirements. There is a weight limit of 250 lbs. for all riders. It is highly recommended that you have the ability to mount and
dismount a horse with minimal assistance. For pricing and more information, visit MMRM.org.
Open House and Ranch Run:
May 25th
Open House is a time to come up and enjoy a day of fun, entertainment and hospitality in Old West fashion.
Have you ever wondered what your kids experience in the summer? We invite you to come on Monday, May 25th and
ﬁnd out! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. We offer trail rides ($8.00 per person – ages 8 and up), pony rides for the little ones,
a demonstration by our vaulting team, a Message from the Mount, a crosscut saw competition, blacksmith demo, old
western pictures, mounted shooter demonstration, Veterans Memorial Service, and much more! Concession stands
will be available or you may bring your own picnic lunch. Our Buckboard Store will be open with Miracle Mountain
Ranch apparel, books, and other gifts. We have tours and activities for all ages to bring you back to the Old West, so
come check us out this Memorial Day! No registration required.
There is a weight limit of 250 lbs for all riders. It is highly recommended that you have the ability to mount and dismount the
horse with minimal assistance. Covered shoes are required for a trail ride.
The Ranch Run is a 5K walk/run event. The scenic course follows dirt roads across rolling hills in a rural
setting. Come prepared for the possibility of mud, depending on weather. There is a water station on the course and
refreshments at the Finish.
The Trail Run is a 4.6-mile course, featuring water, mud, rough trails, ﬁeld, and hills. The race is professionallytimed by Runners High.
Race Registration: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Race Start: 9:00 a.m. Entry is $15.00 if you pre-register and $20.00 at the door.
Entry fee includes a T-shirt (while supplies last), division prizes, snacks, and door prizes. All proceeds go to the Miracle
Mountain Ranch Scholarship Fund. Prizes will be awarded directly following the race. Showers will be available.
You are also invited to join the Miracle Mountain Ranch Open House, a day of family fun in a western atmosphere!
MiracleMountainRanch.org
Spring 2015
814-664-7673
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Retreats & Events
Golf Scramble:
July 18th
Enjoy a rousing game of golf for a great cause! Proceeds will go toward the Summer Camp Scholarship Fund,
enabling all kids to have the opportunity to experience camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch. Last summer, we
granted 348 full and partial scholarships to kids who would not have otherwise been able to afford summer camp.
This is a great opportunity to have a great impact in the lives of children!
We will be starting at 8:00 a.m. at the North Hills Golf Course in Corry, PA. Awards and lunch will immediately
follow. Please R.S.V.P. to Donnie Rosie (814) 964-8548 or call our ofﬁce at (814) 664-7673. Registration begins
at 7:15 a.m. and games start at 8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast provided.
Cost: $65.00 or $50 for Club Members. Cost includes green fee for 18 holes, a cart, lunch, prizes, and support
toward the Scholarship Fund.
Family Camp:
August 19th - 23rd & September 3rd - 7th
Ready for your family to have the time of their lives? Family Camp weekend is a great opportunity for you and your
family to get recharged. We will have special chapels for children ages 5-12 and nursery for children ages 4 and under.
Experience great music, testimonies, fellowship with other like-minded families, and a variety of activities including:
trail rides (ages 8+), pony rides for the younger ones, family hayrides, a couples’ date night, volleyball, swimming,
basketball, conﬁdence course, hikes, paintball option, and our annual family kickball game.
August 19th - 23rd:
Dr. Dale E. Linebaugh, Co-founder of Miracle Mountain Ranch
Dr. Dale and his wife, Opal, have served in the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over
sixty years. They have been involved in eight churches (two of which he founded), twenty
years in Evangelism, and as short term missionaries in Haiti, South America, Canada,
England, and Scotland. They have ministered to Native Americans in Alaska, Canada, and
Arizona. Two Christian Youth Ranches were founded by the Linebaughs, El Rancho de Paz
in NY and Miracle Mountain Ranch in PA. Dr. Linebaugh has served as President of Davis
College, as a Licensed Professional Counselor, and as a member of the American Association
of Marriage and Family Therapists. He and Opal currently reside in Anadarko, OK, where
he continues to pastor and teach.
September 3rd - 7th:
Aaron Ziebarth, Executive Director at Camp Joy El
Aaron Ziebarth is excited about igniting a generation that seeks Him. For thirteen years,
Aaron has served as executive director of Joy El Camps & Retreats & Joy El Generation
(Greencastle, PA.). He has a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He
has served as the Chair on the national Christian Camp and Conference Association board
and is currently helping to strengthen Christian camps in Russia. He enjoys memorizing
God’s word, is married to Stephanie and together they have three children: Abigail, Josiah
and Anna. For refreshment you may ﬁnd him spending several days on the Appalachian
Trail.
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MiracleMountainRanch.org
Spring 2015
814-664-7673
Fall Horse Lovers:
Sept. 25 - 27th & Oct. 2nd - 4th
Are you looking for a weekend adventure centered around a western atmosphere with qualiﬁed instructors to
broaden your riding skills? With many areas of horsemanship to choose from, the weekend is designed to have
something for everyone, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned horseman. This weekend will give you insights
into riding and training skills and developing a deeper relationship with Christ. Come join our qualiﬁed staff for a
weekend of scenic trail riding, practical ground classes, and valuable horsemanship instruction. Open ﬁre cooking
and hands-on cowboy experiences are all ﬂavored with an ample portion of genuine western hospitality.
There is a weight limit of 250 lbs. for all riders. It is highly recommended that you have the ability to mount and
dismount the horse with minimal assistance. If you would like to bring your own horse, please call our ofﬁce for a
boarding contract and vaccine requirements. For more information, visit our website at www.MMRM.org or call
our ofﬁce at (814) 664-7673.
Additional Retreat Information:
Retreat Housing
We offer two housing options for most adult and family retreats:
Bunkhouse: A heated bunkhouse which sleeps up to 10, using our
Brokenstraw Bathhouse facilities.
Top Hand Quarters: A heated dorm-style room, which sleeps from 2 to
10 people, with a restroom in the room. All accommodations are group
housing units.
Individuals and non-family groups will be housed by gender groups.
Married couples and/or families will be housed together in their own room.
All housing is available on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis.
Directions:
For accurate Internet directions, go to Google.com, click on Maps, and
enter “Eldred Hill Rd, Spring Creek, PA 16436” for your destination.
Miracle Mountain Ranch is located 1.5 miles off of Route 426.
Horseback Riding:
Horseback riding is a physical activity. There is a weight limit of 250 lbs
for all rides. It is highly recommended that you have the ability to mount
and dismount the horse with minimal assistance. Please contact the MMR
ofﬁce if you have any questions.
General Retreat Registration Form
Name __________________________________________ Date of Birth / /
Parent’s Name if under 18 _______________________________________________
Address __________________________________________ Sex ___ M ___ F
City ___________________________ State________ Zip ______________________
Phone _______________________ E-mail ___________________________________
Roommate or Group Request ______________________________________________
Housing Type ___ Bunkhouse
___ Top Hand Quarters
Event Name ____________________________________________________________
Event Date _____________________________________________________________
Other Family Members Attending (Same Household)
Name ________________________ Date of Birth / / Sex ___ M ___ F
Name ________________________ Date of Birth / / Sex ___ M ___ F
Name ________________________ Date of Birth / / Sex ___ M ___ F
Payment Type ___ Check ___ Money Order ___ Visa ___ Master Card ___ Discover
Name on Card __________________________________________________________________
Card # _____________________________________ Payment Amount ____________________
Airport Pick-ups
Exp. Date __________ CVV# _________ (last 3 digits in the signature space on the back of your card)
Airport pickups from Erie International Airport are also available if you plan
to ﬂy in for a retreat. The cost is $80.00 round trip. All arrangements should
be made with the Ranch ofﬁce prior to securing your tickets.
Signature ______________________________________________________________________
MiracleMountainRanch.org
Please include a $25/person non-refundable deposit with your registration. ($50/family for family retreats.)
This form is not applicable to Summer Camp.
Spring 2015
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School of Discipleship
Since its beginning in 1981, the School of Discipleship has existed to provide an opportunity
for college-aged men and women to spend a year deepening their spiritual walk, establishing their
faith, and sharing that faith with whomever they encounter. Here are some brief testimonies
of students whose lives have been transformed by God through their experience at MMR:
“Before I started, I remember thinking that I hoped the School of Discipleship would be
challenging. From day one, God has used the MMR staff to teach, stretch, and challenge me
towards Christ-likeness in humility, servant-leadership, and a willingness to surrender fully to
God’s will. I no longer merely hope, but now expect it eagerly every single day.”
— Katelyn Clarahan, Franklin, PA; Current 2nd year student in Guest Services
“The aspect of the apprenticeship program that impacted me most was the quantity of time I
spent with the staff. While the classes really challenged my thinking, it was watching the staff
live out the principles of the Bible that God used to change my life. One particular word of
advice was: “You don’t go wrong when you respond in humility.” As a pastor’s wife today, I
am so grateful for each of the staff ’s investment in my life and for the rewards their sacriﬁce
is reaping today.”
— Hilary (Spencer) Troester, Mineral Point, WI; Class of 2004-2005
“There were a lot of things that God taught me through my year in the School of Discipleship,
but the main thing was my identity in Christ. Because I had found identity in my personality,
strength, and occupation, it led to living a lie (that I was someone I wasn’t) and selfcondemnation. God showed me all of this through godly counsel and, after seeking His
forgiveness, I learned how to apply truth by embracing Romans 8:1 and living transparently
before those around me.”
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after ﬂesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
— Timothy Rega, Freeport, FL; Class of 2011
Calendar of
Events
May
1st - 3rd - Father-Daughter Retreat
8th - 10th - Spring Horse Lover’s
25th - Ranch Run & Open House
29th - 31st - Father-Son Retreat
31st - June 6th - TPS Camp
June
7th - 19th - Staff Training
17th - 19th - Buckaroo Camp
21st - 26th - Camp Week 1
28th - July 3rd - Camp Week 2
July
5th - 10th - Camp Week 3
12th - 17th - Camp Week 4
18th - Golf Scramble
19th - 24th - Camp Week 5
26th - 31st - Camp Week 6
August
2nd - 7th - Camp Week 7
8th - Summer Staff Outing
15th - Graduation
19th - 23rd - Family Camp 1
Spring 2015 Prayer List
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Praises:
Ranch mortgage paid in full!
God’s provision and protection during a demanding winter
For the Lord’s faithfulness in working in the hearts and lives of the
Apprentices and Staff
A well-attended winter retreat season
Testimonies of hearts changed by God’s work during the winter
retreats
Prayer Requests:
Preparations are underway for the summer camp season
Recruiting of summer staff
For the hearts of the youth that will be attending summer camp
For wisdom as a ministry as we make plans in both facilities and
programs to accomodate the growing summer camp program
That the permanent staff would be encouraged in their service to the
Lord
Financial provision and stewardship regarding the $100,000 per
year needed for the balloon payment as part of the Land Purchase
Campaign (1 year complete, 6 to go)
For the Apprentices as they transition into their new summer roles
For wisdom and discernment as we prepare for the summer camp
season
For the process of raising funds for our Scholarship Program
MiracleMountainRanch.org
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Lowe’s gift cards for
tools and supplies
Basketballs and
kickballs
Canon T5i camera
6’ and 8’ ﬁberglass
stepladders
32G SD card, Class 10
New or good-condition
twin sheet sets
Pool noodles
3D archery targets
1/2 inch braided rope
Splitting mauls and
hacks
30+ cup coffee
perculators
Spring 2015
September
3rd - 7th - Family Camp 2
11th - 13th - Orientation Weekend
25th - 27th - Fall Horse Lover’s 1
October
2nd - 4th - Fall Horse Lover’s 2
9th - 11th - Ladies Retreat
17th - APEX Race
24th - Harvest Party
For more upcoming events, visit
www.MiracleMountainRanch.org
814-664-7673