Big Matching Donation Helps Miracle Mountain Ranch

WARREN COUNTY -- Miracle Mountain Ranch in Spring Creek, PA, is starting the new year by taking one big step towards officially calling the 546-acre piece of land they occupy, their own.

An anonymous donor offered a $300,000 matching fund, allowing the Christian ranch to pay off their 20-year mortgage in just four years.

"I never really thought that it could've gone this well. It blew my expectations away," said Donnie Rosie, the ranch's marketing director.

The rest of the money - $364,000 - was raised from the community, between October and December 31st of 2014, totaling $664,000.

"The hundreds of people who gave what they could to make it happen, it's really just amazing. We're humbled by it, grateful for it, and excited for where it's going to allow us to go," said Matt Cox, executive director of Miracle Mountain Ranch.

It's not the first time the ranch has seen community support. A devastating case of arson burned down three buildings in August of 2013, causing more than a half million dollars in damages.

"A year and a half ago we experienced quite a tragedy and crisis with fire, and certainly people came alongside during that time in a very overwhelmingly and gracious way. And again with this for sure," Cox said.

Two of the burned barns are now rebuilt, but it's been slow going. However, with the financial burden of a mortgage off the table, the ranch says they can now focus on rebuilding, developing programs, and fulfilling their Christian mission.

"We're just so excited to go forward and God is allowing us to be free, to go forward not only in a financial way, but in open opportunities with kids and youth in the area," Cox said.

"This will allow us to work on some of the facilities, to actually make room for kids we don't have room for right now," Rosie said. "You hate to be paying off interest when you could be putting it towards having a place for kids to come. And that's the difference here," he said.

The non-profit ranch will save more than $250,000 in interest by paying off the mortgage so quickly.

2015 marks Miracle Mountain Ranch's 51st anniversary.

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