About Ring Lake Ranch

Kathy Coffey, author of The Art of Faith, Women of Mercy, God in the Moment and other books, attended Esther de Waal’s session in 2007. Kathy captures the essential blessings of time at the Ranch in a recent article. Here is an excerpt:

Ecumenical Renewal at Ring Lake Ranch

Located near Dubois WY, about an eight-hour drive from Denver, it’s billed as “an ecumenical renewal center.” It offers a wonderful line-up of speakers every summer. Coming in summer ’08: Bill Short, OFM, Roberta Bondi, Pam Eisenbaum and Tink Tinker among others.

But the talks each evening aren’t the most important part of the program. First priority is relaxing in God’s creation: canoeing, horseback riding, hiking. No speaker or book could rival the powerful message of Wind River Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, boulders and streams. The crisp air is scented with pine and sage; participants want to draw deep lungs-full.

The meals are excellent and invite leisurely conversations over lasagna or soup and salad. Shared clean-up afterwards builds a joking camaraderie. People compare notes on hikes or rides and only later discover that she’s the canon of Portland’s Episcopal cathedral; he’s a United Methodist or Lutheran minister; she’s a Franciscan nun; he’s a Hawaiian psychologist and professor.

Cabins aren’t luxurious, but comfortable; reserve early. Trail guides and wranglers are young, energetic and knowledgeable. Dress code is a breeze: t-shirts, jeans, shorts. Leave the jewelry and make-up at home; this is a place for soul-beauty, unadorned.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… Morning prayer is optional, and usually consists of a psalm and a reading from Brian Swimme, Rumi or Ed Hayes. Reflections before meals are broadly ecumenical, usually geared to seeing the reality around us—not what we construct in our heads, but what’s really there. . . .

What we are about at the Ranch is renewal of spirit and body, heart and soul in a breathtaking, sacred wilderness.