Ghost Ranch Update - March 2023

Ghost Ranch Update March 2023

Dear Friend, As president of the board of the National Ghost Ranch Foundation, I write to offer a brief update on our favorite northern New Mexico conference center. Executive Director Paul Fogg left Ghost Ranch early in 2023 to move to North Carolina to be closer to family, including their first grandchild. Paul arrived in October 2019 and guided the Ranch through the challenges of Covid and a complete shut-down of operations. We are grateful for his service. Last year the board adopted a strategic plan that includes this new mission statement, which I appreciate for its simplicity and focus: "Ghost Ranch stewards a place of great beauty to nurture the human spirit and mind, discover the sacred, and care for creation."

That mission is being fulfilled by a dedicated staff team, led by Interim Executive Director, the Rev. David Gill. Until his recent retirement, David led the nationally recognized Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center outside Little Rock.

In a few weeks, we will welcome the new Program Director at the Ranch, Joanne Lefrak. Joanne brings many years of experience in program development at museums and arts organizations in Santa Fe.

The Ranch is adapting to life after the pandemic. Over the last 18 months we have hired dozens of staff members, more than half coming from the local community. Financial support of the Ranch has grown, but re-staffing costs still outpace revenue. Registrations for 2023 summer programs have exceeded projections. Plans are developing for new housing on the Ranch and the capital campaign to make it possible. A committee led by board member Chris Kempes will soon begin a national search for the next Executive Director of the Ranch. We are grateful for your support of and engagement with Ghost Ranch, a "place of great beauty" that has nourished each one of us. These are exciting times at the Ranch. Please reach out to David Gill or me if you have questions or feedback. See you soon at the Ranch! Grace and peace, Tim Hart-Andersen The Rev. Dr. Tim Hart-Andersen Senior Pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis Tim@wpc-mpls.org

Ghost Ranch stewards a place of great beauty to nurture the human spirit and mind, discover the sacred, and care for creation. But we can’t complete our mission without you.