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Meet the People |
Tina Huber
Board President
Board President
"When Chris shared her vision of
Refuge Ranch with me I knew I
wanted to be involved in any way that I
could. I grew up experiencing many
kinds of abuse. I suffered from low
self esteem, had huge trust issues,
and a built up anger that I didn’t know
what to do with. When I hit my teens I
realized that I had been dealt a bad
hand and lashed out at anyone I could
in any way I could. It wasn’t till I was
about 20 years old that I became
aware of a Love that can heal all
things. I had been introduced to my
Savior and immediately felt a void that
I had all my life being filled. I began to
change. I began to understand what
true love is. I haven’t been the same
since. Praise God!
I am now someone who is able to
love, respect and even trust others.
We can mentor and share with others
what Jesus has done for us, but He
can take any situation and bring good
out of it. He can take an abused and
broken girl and mold her into a child of
God. I want to see that happen again
and again at Refuge Ranch. I think I
told Chris “Refuge Ranch has 3 of my
favorite things…. God, kids, and
horses.” I am blessed to be a part of
this and am excited to see God work
in peoples lives! "
Email Tina
Refuge Ranch with me I knew I
wanted to be involved in any way that I
could. I grew up experiencing many
kinds of abuse. I suffered from low
self esteem, had huge trust issues,
and a built up anger that I didn’t know
what to do with. When I hit my teens I
realized that I had been dealt a bad
hand and lashed out at anyone I could
in any way I could. It wasn’t till I was
about 20 years old that I became
aware of a Love that can heal all
things. I had been introduced to my
Savior and immediately felt a void that
I had all my life being filled. I began to
change. I began to understand what
true love is. I haven’t been the same
since. Praise God!
I am now someone who is able to
love, respect and even trust others.
We can mentor and share with others
what Jesus has done for us, but He
can take any situation and bring good
out of it. He can take an abused and
broken girl and mold her into a child of
God. I want to see that happen again
and again at Refuge Ranch. I think I
told Chris “Refuge Ranch has 3 of my
favorite things…. God, kids, and
horses.” I am blessed to be a part of
this and am excited to see God work
in peoples lives! "
Email Tina
"Growing up, I was obsessed with
horses. We lived in the city so
opportunities to be around them were
limited. However, when I was old
enough, I begged my dad into taking
me to a local barn that offered trail
rides. I spent every spare penny I had
there. Eventually, I think they felt sorry
for me and offered me a "job" as a trail
guide. I didn't get payed, but I was
there every chance I got, packing
around on those wonderful horses,
and I was in heaven! My parents kept
waiting for me to outgrow the bug, but
it never happened.
High school was a terribly difficult time
for me. I had a lot of pain and anger,
and I tried to numb those with every
destructive option out there. Horses
remained a peripheral part of my life,
but the more I tried to find something
that would fill the holes in my heart,
the more out of control my life became
and eventually I had to give them up
completely.
Praise God that He is a God of
redemption! He pursued me
relentlessly and reclaimed the
brokenness of my life for His glory. He
has made beauty from ashes and I
am awed every time He uses even the
pain in my life for His purposes. He
truly works all things to the good.
I am so humbled to serve along side
this diversely gifted group of people.
Every person at Refuge has
experienced their own brokenness –
but we have also all experienced the
freedom and healing found only in
Christ. In a world where there is so
much pain, we long to proclaim that
He is the God who rebuilds the ruins
of broken lives and restores
devastated hearts."
Email Chris
horses. We lived in the city so
opportunities to be around them were
limited. However, when I was old
enough, I begged my dad into taking
me to a local barn that offered trail
rides. I spent every spare penny I had
there. Eventually, I think they felt sorry
for me and offered me a "job" as a trail
guide. I didn't get payed, but I was
there every chance I got, packing
around on those wonderful horses,
and I was in heaven! My parents kept
waiting for me to outgrow the bug, but
it never happened.
High school was a terribly difficult time
for me. I had a lot of pain and anger,
and I tried to numb those with every
destructive option out there. Horses
remained a peripheral part of my life,
but the more I tried to find something
that would fill the holes in my heart,
the more out of control my life became
and eventually I had to give them up
completely.
Praise God that He is a God of
redemption! He pursued me
relentlessly and reclaimed the
brokenness of my life for His glory. He
has made beauty from ashes and I
am awed every time He uses even the
pain in my life for His purposes. He
truly works all things to the good.
I am so humbled to serve along side
this diversely gifted group of people.
Every person at Refuge has
experienced their own brokenness –
but we have also all experienced the
freedom and healing found only in
Christ. In a world where there is so
much pain, we long to proclaim that
He is the God who rebuilds the ruins
of broken lives and restores
devastated hearts."
Email Chris
Chris Daniels
Founder
Founder
"My favorite animal growing up was
horses. So much so that I first
dreamed of being a jockey one day.
When I realized that wouldn't happen,
then I switched my goals to being a
veterinarian. However, that ended
when I witnessed a vet in action on a
neighbor's horse. Yuck! Eventually,
God led me into work with truly wild
animals . . . youth ministry. Tack on a
five year stint of preaching and youth
work in inner city Chicago and you
have a nutshell of me.
On our honeymoon, Chris and I
talked about where God might take
us. We dreamed about several
possibilities, but the seeds for this
ministry were planted in that
conversation. And they have
continued to grow. I see how God
has reshaped my heart and molded a
dream there. This ministry combines
our heart for hurting people with our
love of animals in order to share
Jesus Christ and I get to partner with
my wife in it all. All things I love."
Email Stephen
horses. So much so that I first
dreamed of being a jockey one day.
When I realized that wouldn't happen,
then I switched my goals to being a
veterinarian. However, that ended
when I witnessed a vet in action on a
neighbor's horse. Yuck! Eventually,
God led me into work with truly wild
animals . . . youth ministry. Tack on a
five year stint of preaching and youth
work in inner city Chicago and you
have a nutshell of me.
On our honeymoon, Chris and I
talked about where God might take
us. We dreamed about several
possibilities, but the seeds for this
ministry were planted in that
conversation. And they have
continued to grow. I see how God
has reshaped my heart and molded a
dream there. This ministry combines
our heart for hurting people with our
love of animals in order to share
Jesus Christ and I get to partner with
my wife in it all. All things I love."
Email Stephen
Stephen Daniels
Founder, Vice President
Founder, Vice President
Kirk Polley - "KP"
Secretary
Secretary
"My name is Kirk and I am 27 years
old. I am currently a 911 dispatcher
for Sangamon county. My family
moved to Springfield in 1989 and we
found a home at Chatham Christian
Church. It is through CCC that I met
Steve when he was hired on as the
youth minister. I first met Chris in a
humanities class in college--neither
of us knowing at the time that our
personal connection to Steve would
cause our paths to cross again and
allow us to become great friends. So I
was on board--literally--with the idea
to bring the Daniels family back to
central Illinois to start up a farm.
I have been a part of Refuge Ranch
almost from the very beginning
working on such things as fencing,
building stalls and of course scooping
poop. I love spending time on the
ranch preparing the grounds and
building relationships with the horses.
God has already done amazing
things through these animals in the
short time Refuge Ranch has been in
existence and I truly look forward to
what He has in store for all involved in
this incredible journey. "
Email Kirk
old. I am currently a 911 dispatcher
for Sangamon county. My family
moved to Springfield in 1989 and we
found a home at Chatham Christian
Church. It is through CCC that I met
Steve when he was hired on as the
youth minister. I first met Chris in a
humanities class in college--neither
of us knowing at the time that our
personal connection to Steve would
cause our paths to cross again and
allow us to become great friends. So I
was on board--literally--with the idea
to bring the Daniels family back to
central Illinois to start up a farm.
I have been a part of Refuge Ranch
almost from the very beginning
working on such things as fencing,
building stalls and of course scooping
poop. I love spending time on the
ranch preparing the grounds and
building relationships with the horses.
God has already done amazing
things through these animals in the
short time Refuge Ranch has been in
existence and I truly look forward to
what He has in store for all involved in
this incredible journey. "
Email Kirk
Jonathan Sperry
Treasurer
Treasurer
"I was asked to be involved with
Refuge Ranch because I have been
the treasurer for another non-profit
organization, so my primary role at the
Ranch is to keep track of the finances.
However, I have been involved in some
of the grounds work as well; building
fences while in ankle deep mud is an
opportunity no one should pass up.
And even though I don’t have any
experience with horses, I am learning
what at times seems like a new
language as supplies are purchased
and payments are made.
More important than that, though, is the
chance I get to be involved with and
support a ministry that strives to reach
out to those who need it, in a most
unique way. While, I have always been
active in the church, I’ve only rarely
been a part of something that helps
those outside the church walls. So, I’m
excited to see what God does with this
ministry, and what he teaches me
about myself and others."
Email Jonathan
Refuge Ranch because I have been
the treasurer for another non-profit
organization, so my primary role at the
Ranch is to keep track of the finances.
However, I have been involved in some
of the grounds work as well; building
fences while in ankle deep mud is an
opportunity no one should pass up.
And even though I don’t have any
experience with horses, I am learning
what at times seems like a new
language as supplies are purchased
and payments are made.
More important than that, though, is the
chance I get to be involved with and
support a ministry that strives to reach
out to those who need it, in a most
unique way. While, I have always been
active in the church, I’ve only rarely
been a part of something that helps
those outside the church walls. So, I’m
excited to see what God does with this
ministry, and what he teaches me
about myself and others."
Email Jonathan
Jeni Sperry
Board Member
Board Member
"When I first heard about Refuge
Ranch, I was intrigued, yet I didn’t
see myself becoming involved
because I have no experience with
horses. However, the more I heard
about the purpose of the Ranch, the
more I wanted to be a part of it. At
first, I just offered to come and take
pictures of the participants when they
started the program. Then Chris
asked me if I would come and take
pictures of the horses for the
website. I said yes and came out
after a big snow to capture the
horses in action. I enjoyed it so
much that I could not wait to come
back with my camera in hand.
In January the need arose to help
with some of the barn chores and I
offered to help. I really only thought
that I would be picking stalls,
cleaning buckets or feeding.
However, Chris began teaching me
how to halter the horses and taught
me how to groom them. That night, I
was hooked! I now go out once a
week to learn more and help with the
needs of the farm. I gain such a
sense of accomplishment every time
I learn or do something new with the
horses and I find myself longing to go
to the Ranch.
Even though photography is what
initially drew me, I now come for the
horses and to help with whatever
needs done. There are days that I
don’t even pack my camera because
I just want to be in the barn working.
Being on the board is such an honor
because I know that God has great
things in store for the Ranch and
those that are involved in it and I am
so excited to see what that might be!"
Email Jeni
Ranch, I was intrigued, yet I didn’t
see myself becoming involved
because I have no experience with
horses. However, the more I heard
about the purpose of the Ranch, the
more I wanted to be a part of it. At
first, I just offered to come and take
pictures of the participants when they
started the program. Then Chris
asked me if I would come and take
pictures of the horses for the
website. I said yes and came out
after a big snow to capture the
horses in action. I enjoyed it so
much that I could not wait to come
back with my camera in hand.
In January the need arose to help
with some of the barn chores and I
offered to help. I really only thought
that I would be picking stalls,
cleaning buckets or feeding.
However, Chris began teaching me
how to halter the horses and taught
me how to groom them. That night, I
was hooked! I now go out once a
week to learn more and help with the
needs of the farm. I gain such a
sense of accomplishment every time
I learn or do something new with the
horses and I find myself longing to go
to the Ranch.
Even though photography is what
initially drew me, I now come for the
horses and to help with whatever
needs done. There are days that I
don’t even pack my camera because
I just want to be in the barn working.
Being on the board is such an honor
because I know that God has great
things in store for the Ranch and
those that are involved in it and I am
so excited to see what that might be!"
Email Jeni
Marilyn Wenneborg
Board Member
Board Member
"Being a minister’s wife for over 35
years and working with at-risk children
and families in area school districts
has taught me much about
compassion and empathy for others.
Anyone who knows me knows of my
love for children and horses. So when
I was asked to serve on the board of
directors in a ministry that combined
both along with sharing the love of
Christ how could I say no. I am
blessed and excited to able to serve
with a great team who are committed
to reaching out to those who truly are
in need of a refuge in Him. "
Email Marilyn
years and working with at-risk children
and families in area school districts
has taught me much about
compassion and empathy for others.
Anyone who knows me knows of my
love for children and horses. So when
I was asked to serve on the board of
directors in a ministry that combined
both along with sharing the love of
Christ how could I say no. I am
blessed and excited to able to serve
with a great team who are committed
to reaching out to those who truly are
in need of a refuge in Him. "
Email Marilyn
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| 3845 Delay Rd Pawnee, IL 62558 email: refuge@refuge-ranch.org |
| REFUGE RANCH |
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