The Ranch Staff

I moved to Iowa to be part of a ministry and needed a job as well.  Someone from church suggested I contact Wildwood Hills Ranch.  I started part time in July of 2010 then turned full time in December of 2010.

A unique fact about me is that I went to a guide and packer school to be a back country hunting guide, but turned down two job offers because the timing didn’t seem right to take them.

My position at Wildwood Hills Ranch is Assistant Facilities Manager, and my duties vary from day to day.  I can be doing anything from mowing the lawn to helping with the horses.

My role is to maintain the property – indoors and out.

What brought me to the Ranch was God placing me here at the right time for His plan.  I enjoy serving God at the Ranch and playing a part in changing kids lives.

I have a wonderful wife, Valerie and two daughters, Sydney & Mikayla.  We live a few miles from the Ranch and its very convenient to be so close.

Hi, I’m Karen.   I am Administrative Assistant at the Ranch.  My role is:  “how may I assist you today?”   While I am a registered Medical Technologist by profession, I have always loved to garden, cook, ride horses and be in the outdoors.  So, since my husband was Director of Equine Activities, the Ranch was a perfect fit for some volunteering.  I came to garden with the LiT kids, to help with the trail rides, to cook with my chuckwagon just for fun for the horse staff and volunteers, and was blessed by the mission and ministry of Wildwood Hills Ranch.  So, as my heart was becoming heavy with the weight of my laboratory job and the driving to Des Moines each day, God was preparing the way at the ranch.  When the time was right (God knew, I didn’t!), He led me from the lab to a job at the Ranch.  He is amazing!

I began working at the Ranch in the summer of 2009 as the Teambuilding and Activities Director. With a Bachelor in Youth Development Studies and an emphasis in Recreational Education I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I have now finished my third summer at Wildwood and I’m so excited to be on full time.

I am a northern Minnesota boy, growing up most of my life in Grand Rapids, MN. My Dad is a Pastor and my Mom is a Doctor of Nursing. I try to use their people serving professions to my advantage. I love the outdoors and hunting and fishing are two of my favorite things to fill time. I also enjoy playing most all sports and simply trying to stay young.

I am currently the Assistant Program Director at Wildwood. I also have the roles of Child Placement Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. I get to work hand in hand with the kids that come to camp as well as the community partners that get them here. I also work with the volunteers that help this place keep running on high octane. I hope to continually Serve God and others throughout my time at Wildwood.

My background is in Real Estate and Finance, but I have been serving at Wildwood Hills Ranch since 2004.  While at the Ranch that summer I read a letter to a 9 year old boy that his mother had written telling him they could no longer be a family.  That boy went into the custody of the state after he left the Ranch.  I thought about that boy numerous times and wondered where he ended up.  After jumping back into my real estate career I was approached by another organization to volunteer with abused, neglected and impoverished children.  Three years later, while working with that organization, the young man I read the letter to showed up not only in my cabin but in the group of 3 children I was responsible for that week.  Shortly after that experience I was employed full time at the Ranch.

I believe that many of the problems in our society, and around the globe, are caused by fathers failing to follow through with their responsibilities.  I believe the reason I was put on earth is to defend the cause of the fatherless.

I spend my free time with his beautiful wife Jena, their families, and his close friends.

“Mr. Lynn”, as he is known here at Wildwood Hills, was in Arizona working at a gorgeous guest ranch as Head Wrangler.  It was a wonderful position in a beautiful location, but it was a training ground and God was at work.  The thoughts “I feel I’m not serving the Lord as well as I might” kept running through his mind.  He prayed “God, lead me to work with kids and horses”.  Well God does hear and answer prayers!  As Director of Equine Activities “Mr. Lynn”, works with hundreds of kids a year through the summer programs, develops and leads Equine  Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions for kids throughout the year, leads the drill team, gives riding lesson, takes care of our incredible indoor arena and provides for about 35 horses throughout the year.  How about that for an answer!

I arrived at the Ranch in February of 2011 after a year and a half as a member of the Board, following a passion to serve where the need is the greatest. I have been blessed with many opportunities in my life that have led me to my current position as CEO of Wildwood Hills Ranch of Iowa. My focus here is striving to follow God’s will by modeling the characteristics of a servant leader. I have a beautiful 15 year old daughter named Haley. My wife Barb and I live in the Des Moines area with our energetic 3 year old son Luke; we are expecting another child this winter.