You may, or may not, be aware that the Ranch Ehrlo Society has initiated an archive project. This project requires the ‘tedious’ task of sorting through and organizing more than 45 years of print material and multimedia.  Much to my surprise, this assignment has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for Ranch Ehrlo and its founder, the late Geoff Pawson.

I’m not a history buff, but leafing through the documents dating back decades ago has allotted me true perspective to the roots of this agency. The philosophy that has propelled Ranch Ehrlo forward is evident in the advocacy it has continued to exercise over time.

As I dug to the bottom of boxes, I began to realize how much dedication, effort, and above all else, vision, it took to create the Ranch Ehrlo Society.

I never had the opportunity to meet the Ranch’s founder, Geoff Pawson, but his passion for helping children and youth bleeds through his work like blue ink pooling on paper.  His vision never blurred; it was clear from the beginning.

As I help sort through boxes upon boxes of old materials, I step behind the theoretical closed doors and into Geoff’s office. Brief notes, scribbled brainstorms, proclamations, and plans for the then-future have become part of the Ranch’s history; part of Geoff’s legacy. These papers are plenty, but each warrant consideration as to the importance and role they have played in moving the Ranch from concept to creation.

The growth of the Ranch, the expansion of the vision, and projections for the future can be traced and tracked through these materials, many of which have yet to be uncovered.

What I have read, and what I have uncovered, has led me to believe that Ranch Ehrlo was more than work for Geoff Pawson, it was his life. He spent Christmas with youth at a Regina group home; he invited stakeholders to his home for supper; he spent evenings entertaining Ranch associates; and he took it upon himself to greet special guests at the airport. He didn’t do any of this because he had to; he did it because he wanted to.

As I sit in a sea of documents, papers flooding my desk, I feel lucky and fortunate to have the chance to peer into Geoff’s world, and into the makings of Ranch Ehrlo. The archive project may take many more months, perhaps a couple of years, but then again, history isn’t made overnight.

This paper trail doesn’t lead nowhere. It leads to three campuses, dozens of group homes, a handful of education centres, and thousands of success stories.

Sorting through decades of work, personal notes, and the true beginnings of Ranch Ehrlo puts everything in perspective – it is, and always has been, about the kids. Every note written, every phone call made, every email sent, was for the health, happiness and healing of the children and youth.

A former consultant for Ranch Ehrlo, Cony G. Brienza, put it eloquently when she wrote to Geoff in a 2002 email : “I have thought about this (succession plan) off and on since February. Each time I come to a similar place in my thoughts. Don’t know if this will take you anywhere but you are welcome to my imaginings. As much as I have encouraged you to ‘grow this program beyond Geoff’, I have difficulty imagining it without you. Ranch Ehrlo Society and Ehrlo are blessed to have such a skilled visionary at the helm.”