Eagle’s Nest Ranch was founded by Suzy Stanfill who was inspired to model a ranch ministry after Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon after the reading the book "Hope Rising" by Kim Meeder. Suzy too experienced tragedy in her life when her mother ended her life when Suzy was 23 years old. Suzy went to Crystal Peaks in 2008 to their Information Clinic to see if starting a ranch ministry to help others in their struggles was God’s next calling on her life. She left knowing establishing a similar ranch was her next purpose. The name Eagle’s Nest Ranch came easily. A bald eagle was nesting at a property her church was considering for purchase. The new shopping center being constructed across the street was called Eagle’s Nest Village.
Driving by the sign one day, Suzy knew she had found the name of the ranch. A nest represents a safe and nurturing place of growth, and ultimately, a place from which to fly. The eagle represents strength and nobility. The eagle can fly high above storm clouds. The eagle is also a symbol of our country and represents freedom. This was an important connection as Eagle’s Nest Ranch serves the military community through our Healing Horses for the Armed Forces program. What better name could there have been?
Though the years went by in seeking and waiting for the doors to open to start the ranch, God had not forgotten Suzy nor His call on her life. In those years of doubt, discouragement and hope, yes hope, God began to send eagles her way to let her know not to give up, but to continue to believe and not let the dream go.
First there were a few sightings, but then there were so many that Suzy knew it wasn’t a coincidence. God continued to send them. In all, she has counted and recorded 22 sightings between 2011 and 2015. Three were perched near the side of rural roads waiting for her to pass by. The others were all in flight.
The ranch opened in the summer of 2014. So here at Eagle’s Nest Ranch we hope, we believe and we don’t give up. We invite you to be a part of that. The ranch verse is “My God in His steadfast love will meet me.” Psalm 59:10a. God’s love for us is unconditional and never wavers. He meets us where we are in our brokenness and loves us still.
