Arizona Ranch For At-Risk Teen Boys
Has Reached Full Operating Capacity

Contact:
Paul and Kathy Lithgow
Founders
480-688-5003
www.alanranch.com

June 3, 2006

Alan Ranch announced this week that they have reached their full operating capacity of eight boys. God has blessed the ministry from His initial call in Jan '05, through the non-profit corporation filing in May '05, first students in Sept '05 to this week's announcement. God brought new students in gradually and at just the right pace. Two boys will complete the one-year program soon so openings will be available in the Fall. Alan Ranch is a private boys' ranch ministry (Arizona non-profit, 501.c.3 organization) providing a loving structured environment for at-risk teen boys, ages 12-16, to improve their lives through faith in Jesus Christ, a family atmosphere and work on ranch facilities, and with animals. The teens live, work and go to school at the ranch.

Alan Ranch, which has been open since Sept 2005, uses a basic one-year program with four breaks. Students go home for 10 days at Easter, for one month in the Summer, for 10 days at Thanksgiving and 10 days at Christmas. Home visits with parents or grandparents are available on the third Sunday of each month. The Alan Ranch program emphasizes studying the Bible (both in group settings and individually), hard work (on ranch facilities, in the community and on school work), and fun activities to build community and fond memories. Students work at their own pace and skill level attending school on-line through Alpha Omega Academy, a fully accredited Christian home schooling program. GED training is also conducted in place of traditional school work if appropriate. Ranch staff and volunteers help students with their studies. Alan Ranch students also learn many practical lessons in building construction, mechanics, horse care and ranch management.

Many activities are available at the ranch. Students care for and learn to ride horses. Much time is spent helping others out with service projects in the community and volunteering at a local food bank. Music training is provided for students with interest and plans are in place to develop a ranch band. In addition, students get away from the ranch weekly for fun outings like waterskiing at the lake, fishing and camping in the mountains, bowling, hiking or canoeing.

Alan Ranch currently operates on 10 acres in Queen Creek, Arizona just outside of Phoenix. The boys care for 13 horses, a steer, a goat, dogs, ducks and chickens, which provide opportunities for learning important life lessons. Students are isolated from the outside world without TV, radio and internet to focus on learning the Bible and how to love and serve others. God is moving daily in boys lives changing them forever and molding them into the young men He created them to be: Young men who love God and others above all, respecting each other, and using their gifts to work hard and impact their world.

Parents bring the boys to the ranch and assign the ranch directors, Paul and Kathy Lithgow temporary guardianship of their child for one year. The ranch is designed to provide a loving family environment and eating dinner together around the big table is one of the highlights of the day. Paul and Kathy Lithgow have been married for 19 years and are the parents of 2 boys ages 15 (Matthew) and 17 (Daniel). The vision for Alan's Ranch dates back to 1997 when their oldest son, Alan died in a car accident at age 17. Three years before his death he was involved in a tragic accident where he was responsible for his best friend's death and he struggled a great deal with all the issues surrounding that. A ministry like Alan's ranch would have been very helpful to their family during that time.

Alan Ranch serves boys for whatever monthly contribution parents can afford, agreed to at the time of admission. Alan Ranch relies on God and His Divine Provision through its nationwide prayer team, outside financial supporters and volunteers to survive. Anyone desiring to help impact teen boys' lives is encouraged to contact the Ranch by e-mail at info@alanranch.com. Paul and Kathy are currently exploring the possibility of publishing the stories they've experienced since Alan's accident and through the start-up of Alan Ranch. They have had the privilege of witnessing God demonstrating His awesome Power time after time. It is their desire that others may be encouraged through the telling of the stories and that the ministry might benefit from any proceeds God would bring through such a book.