From Kendra Paulton’s Blog
A TASTE OF THE WEST
I first attended Rainbow Bible Ranch in 2002 as a horse-crazy teenager. I went back in 2003 for their two-week long session called Legacy II and my life was never the same. I was head over heels in love with western South Dakota, the ranching way of life, and the spectacular ministry of Rainbow Bible Ranch.
Rainbow Bible Ranch is a biblically based youth camp situated on a real working Hereford cattle and American Quarter Horse ranch in Meade County, South Dakota. Every summer for the past 30 years, the Reinhold family has welcomed hundreds of youth between the ages of 6 and 18 to share in their lifestyle as they explore God’s creation, ride quality horses, and learn about ranching and — most importantly — Jesus Christ.
The weeks are filled with laughter, competitions, good food, friends, new experiences, learning, and growth. I can easily say that my two years as a camper, followed by three summers of being on staff, were some of the best summers of my life. I loved watching the excitement and wonder of a child seeing a baby deer for her first time; a shy camper opening up while horseback, giggling as we trot across the open prairie. I could go on and on…
In October, ranchers all across our area were hit by the destructive winter storm Atlas. Thousands upon thousands of head of cattle were lost, as were numerous horses. Rainbow Bible Ranch was not unaffected by this storm. They tragically lost 90 head of horses in this record breaking winter storm, including 30 of their best camp horses.
These horses weren’t just HORSES. They were friends, comrades, ministry partners. They were solid, beautiful, sound, genuine equines that faithfully took care of hundreds of campers Every. Single. Summer. without a single complaint. I could put my shyest, most nervous 6 year old up on one of these gems, and know that young camper was going to be taken care of. The next week, I could put a daring teen up on the same horse – and that camper could have a grand time cutting cattle out of a herd in winning time at the rodeo.
“So will you have camp next summer?” has been a common question presented to the Reinholds. The answer is a resounding “YES!”
The Reinholds have been busy working to Rebuild Rainbow’s Remuda of fine camp horses. Recently they purchased 10 or so quality saddle horses at the Stock Show. They have had a few superb horses donated, as well.
Now there is an exciting venture in the works called the Dakota Horse Challenge, an equine training competition sponsored by Rainbow Bible Ranch and Lonetree Ranch in an effort to Rebuild Rainbow’s Remuda. Click on the links above to learn more.
I ask for your prayers for Rainbow, Lonetree, and the Reinholds as they work fervently in the months ahead to be ready for hundreds of bright-eyed, eager campers. A week at Rainbow is life changing and unforgettable.
Thank you, Reinhold family, for your dedication to God’s work. Keep pressin’ on!