After battling eating disorder for most of her life, Nanette experienced healing through the same dynamic curriculum she uses today and was given a dream. In this dream, she and her husband, Brian, had established a ranch housing women with eating disorders and emotional issues, as well as rescued horses. While Brian’s horsemanship brought the horses back to health, Nanette utilized the horses in her ministry to the women. Almost miraculously, horses help emotionally damaged people be able to respond. Along side of Brian and Nanette was Elaine Hart of Hartbeat Productions. God had used Elaine in Nanette’s mentoring process and now Elaine and Nanette worked side by side in mentoring these women. The healing was real but the ranch was just a dream.
Three years later, in 2003, the dream took a step toward reality. Abundant Life Ranch was established as a non –profit (5013C) corporation. Additionally, Nanette began working with the Baptist Lutheran Medical Center (BLMC) Eating Disorder Unit as a Recovery Speaker. During this same period, she worked with Elaine teaching these principles to the KC Chiefs Cheerleaders and the youth of the KC Cheer program.
2004 was an exciting and foundational year providing additional opportunities for Nanette. She mentored four girls, continued to speak and mentor at BLMC and worked alongside Elaine. She witnessed many healings where hope had once been lost.
2005 brought many new as well as exciting challenges. Nanette mentored twelve young ladies, while continuing the programs for the Chief’s Cheerleaders and speaking at schools, churches and BLMC. It became obvious that a facility that could house the rescued horses and a home for the women in close proximity to each other would be essential to an effective ministry. Having to lease space for horses and commute to them for ministry would be counter productive.
2006 the demand for ministry increased significantly. The number of women being mentored grew to fifteen, speaking engagements increased, requests for a residential program were abundant. Nanette served on the Advisory Board for Mercy Ministries of St Louis, again witnessing the Lord healing many.
2007 the dream took yet another step toward reality. The Abundant Life Ranch was birthed in a temporary facility. Thirteen horses rescued from an abusive boarding situation were provided a safe secure place to overcome abuse. These abused horses in turn ministered to young ladies with eating and emotional disorders. Although this was a step toward fulfillment of the dream, it also became clear that a permanent facility for both the young women and the horses was desperately needed.
Over the last five years, the Lord has been faithful and used Abundant Life Ranch to change the lives of forty young ladies and touch the lives of over 400 through talk sessions and seminars. The people of Abundant Life Ranch have the passion and are equipped to see many more lives changed. Acquiring a suitable property and facilities would enable 100 young ladies a year to experience intensive discipleship and mentoring in residence. Additionally several hundred more could be mentored through day sessions, weekend intensives and conferences.
Now, we look forward to what God is going to do though out the rest of this year and in the years to come as He shares His love for the hurting through Abundant Life Ranch. Thank you for your interest in the lives of these hurting young women.
