Sprawled across more than 15 acres of the desert, the sun warms patches of earth where horses heal. It’s a place of hope where all are welcomed with a simple benediction dangling from a metal sign that reads, “You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”
Since 2009, Reigning Grace Ranch in Rio Verde has provided a sanctuary for Arizona youth, families, first responders and veterans through various mentor and rehabilitation programs primarily through the use of rescued horses. The faith-based ranch founded by Amanda and Christopher Moore.
“When you walk through the gates of the ranch, you feel like you’re transported somewhere else; it’s just a feeling you get,” Amanda Moore says. “Kids [especially] feel safe and not judged.”
But the ranch almost didn’t come to fruition. The duo, who met in their youth, were on the verge of ending their marriage due to several factors, Moore says, including a pending recession and trying to “keep up with the Joneses” where “stuff” took precedent over their relationship.
“It was like eating hollow chocolate bunnies,” she says. “they’re never filling.”
But a miracle, of sorts—or divine intervention—suddenly changed the trajectory when they adopted two horses and rescued a herd of wild horses.
“I asked Chris if we could rescue these horses. He said, ‘Sure, we’ll do that!’ What husband would do this?’” she laughs.
