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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
Nov./Dec. 2004 |
Rawhide Ranch provides Western way of life for Hoosiers
Story and photos
by Matthew Oates
NASHVILLE, Ind. -- At 9:30 on a September Sunday morning, songs of praise echoed not only throughout the Buck Inn Lodge at the Rawhide Ranch, but also through the surrounding hills of Brown County.
The songs were coming from the 26 women from the Bonita Drive Church of Christ in Middletown, Ohio, who were staying at the ranch for their annual women's retreat. "Come now is the time to worship," they sang, before praying, sharing and receiving communion.
Even before they came, they were some of the more than 7,500 guests who have stopped by the Rawhide Ranch to rest, relax and commune with nature and horses.
The ranch, a partnership between long-time friends Dan "Hoss" Cartwright and United Methodist David Stirsman, has been in operation since 2001. The ranch includes 50 acres, complete with trails, numerous barns and arenas, a ranch house and the 11-room Buck Inn with western themes and modern conveniences. The facilities are available for not only individuals or church groups, but also business retreats, weddings and other events.
The ranch was always a concept between Cartwright and Stirsman, but it came into reality from a chance meeting of Cartwright and the previous owner of the property at a horse auction in spring 2001. "We ended up buying it from him," Stirsman told Together. "It was just one of those things that happened."
The sale was finalized in mid-Sept. 2001. The cabin and ranch house weren't as developed as they are today. The barn was incomplete. The group built new arena areas, picnic areas, developed the trail system and more.
Both are businessmen. Cartwright owns D&S Investments, a real estate development firm on Indianapolis' Southside that manages multi-family, commercial, retail and industrial properties. Stirsman is a lawyer who also redevelops properties throughout Indiana and owns part of a Southern California car dealership group.
Both also are avid horsemen, having owned or been around horses most of their lives. The two became friends while serving on the Indianapolis Public Transportation Company, which operates IndyGo and other areas of public transportation.
Over the years, the two traveled together and took annual trips such as week-long trail rides and mountaintop rides through the West. "It's one of the most picturesque ways to see America," says Stirsman. "It's a great way to spiritually reconnect."
Cartwright, who goes by the nickname "Hoss" -- akin to his counterpart on the 60s "Bonanza" TV show -- says the idea came from taking those trips. "We really came up with this after sharing our experiences out west with several people who were interested but couldn't make that far of a trip," says Cartwright. "We decided to bring the West to Indiana. It has been very successful and our visitors can't believe that the West experience is in Southern Indiana."
Since 2001, the ranch has experienced substantial growth. With a summer kids' horse retreat, as well as hosting numerous corporate events, family reunions, scouting groups, YMCA groups, schools, most of their business has been church groups, much like the Bonita Drive Church of Christ group. "The church is the majority of our group outings," said Cartwright. "As far as future plans, our plans are to keep doing the same thing and keep growing. I expect that our future business will be concentrated more on church outings."
Stories of faith
Stirsman is the son of the Rev. Andrew Stirsman, who began as a General Baptist, but then became Methodist. When his father died, David revisited and reflected on his father's life and ministry. Stirsman and his wife, Micki, and their children, Clay, 3, and Shayne, 9, are members at Roberts Park United Methodist Church and attend Zionsville UMC. "I have a special place for both of them. We're active in both."
He said his faith has grown measurably during the past three years, some of it being attributed to the chance to reconnect with God through nature and the ranch, but also by interacting with a small devotional group that meets on Friday mornings. Through that small group, Stirsman is involved with incubating a ministry at the ranch called Twelve Stones, a ministry that will help heal hurting families that are in crisis.
The Rev. Garrett Higbee, associate pastor at Indianapolis' College Park Church and trained psychologist, founded the group, but looks for a location. In the meantime, "what we're doing is housing them here temporarily to get them started," Stirsman said.
The non-denominational, biblically based and spiritually guided ministry will help establish relationships with churches and pastoral staffs to reach out to families who need to get help. By offering the ranch facilities to the families, it will provide them a chance to get away and seek counseling.
Being a transaction lawyer is quite different than operating a ranch that serves as a ministry outreach site and caters to numerous groups. It's the atmosphere that recharges Stirsman's faith and spirit. Groups from Sunday schools to covenant groups gather here to sing and praise.
"This is a great atmosphere to do that. This is a really great way to reconnect," said Stirsman. "The culmination of their activities and ours makes for a good day."
Families and friends come together
Manager Jenny Peddycord, Jeff Snyder and Jodi Larkins all watch over the 15 quarter horses and the numerous buildings, 50 acres of ranch and guests. When large groups are at the ranch, everyone -- including numerous family members and friends -- stop by the ranch to help out.
But the main draws to the ranch are the horses and the natural surroundings.
"Our horses are proven 'trail safe' horses for beginner riders," said Cartwright. "We have a lot of compliments about our livestock and many people come back and ask for the same horse again. Our guides have many years of experience and know each and everyone of our horses very well.
"The ranch is all about the nature aspect," adds Cartwright. "The Brown County hills and forests are a tourist attraction, and we are fortunate that the ranch is in the middle of Brown County."
Stirsman sees the ranch as a chance to escape from the world and relax. "It's almost a guaranteed good time. Certainly they're more relaxed than when they came," said Stirsman. "This place brings out the kid in all of us."
For more information on the ranch, you can call 812-988-0085 or 1-888-94-RANCH or log on to www.rawhideranchoutfitters.com.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008