Hi, I'm Ben Mester, the guy on the left.  I'm a long time volunteer here at Buckheart Ranch.  For me, I love the atmosphere of peace, encouragement, and diligence here at the ranch.  Kids from tough backgrounds come to a place of encouragement and peace, and it can take a little bit of time, but they soon begin to thrive.  Most teenagers are greatly affected by their environment.  Troubles with friends, troubles at home, and troubles at school can very easily become overwhelming, and can take an otherwise happy, friendly kid, and can lead them to make some pretty bad decisions.  But once a person comes to the ranch, they can't help but be slowly changed by the atmosphere of encouragement and diligence they're surrounded by.

For my own part, I love volunteering here because I find myself growing as a man from teaching life skills and healthy habits.  Being a mentor and gaining the respect of kids from a tough background is a really rewarding experience.  It's a perfect fit for the skills and talents that God has placed in my life.  You should think about supporting Buckheart Ranch and carrying the vision forward to more teens and youth in need.