“If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living.” – Joseph Campbell
Once upon a time — three years ago, to be exact — two devoted property managers named Alana and Arthur advertised their services on RanchWork.com. The owners of a private ranch in the magical northwest corner of Colorado found their listing, were overwhelmed by their skills, and reached out to invite them into their lives and land.
The job was almost too good to be true: a 400+ acres private ranch tucked away in the wild and magical northwest corner of Colorado, surrounded by mountains, valleys, two sparkling ponds, and two lively creeks. The ranch was home to six horses, a grand main lodge, cozy cabins, and the kind of boundless peace that most people only dream about.
Every evening, the clouds above the ranch seemed to glow with a kind of magic, painting the sky with colors that made Alana and Arthur pause and remember how lucky they were to call this place home.
The owners, spanning three generations, visited each summer for several weeks, bringing children, friends, laughter, and a love of the outdoors. When they arrived, they found everything immaculate — lodgings prepared with care, vibrant flower beds in full bloom, specially groomed fly-fishing spots ready and waiting, happy horses eager for a ride, and play areas where childhood memories could blossom. The rest of the year, the ranch was entrusted to Alana and Arthur, and it became their own private paradise.
Arthur, once a teacher and later an award-winning audio engineer, poured his creativity and diligence into the land. He handled landscaping, building maintenance, heavy equipment operation, snow plowing, and the endless quiet details that kept property thriving. He worked with nature, not against it — carving new walking paths, tending to water features, making mountain trails, and ensuring the ranch was a safe, beautiful haven for all who stepped onto it. His practical skills and deep intuition made him not just a caretaker, but a true steward of the land.
Alana, with her background in business and arts, homesteading, and the healing arts, brought her own magic. She nurtured flower beds and gardens, kept the main house and cabins pristine, and cared for the horses with gentle hands and a sharp eye. Alana managed details big and small —budgets, schedules, correspondence, and the delicate balance of hospitality and privacy. She infused each space with warmth, organization, and a little bit of soul.
During their time on the ranch, Alana and Arthur had the joy of welcoming family and friends to share in its beauty. They hosted loved ones for long weekends filled with laughter, home-cooked meals, a game of Settlers of Catan, and evenings spent beneath the endless Colorado sky. Those visits became some of their most treasured memories, as guests unwound and fell under the spell of the land, just as Alana and Arthur had.
They lived in tune with the rhythms of nature and the cycles of the ranch. Remote as it was, they found joy in its quiet and contentment in its routines, always grateful for a town nearby when they needed a touch of civilization. They used natural and organic methods to care for the land, avoiding chemicals and honoring the long-term health of the environment.
Their philosophy was simple: when the caretakers are valued and supported, they care for the land as if it were their own. They gave all of themselves to the ranch, and in return, it gave them purpose, peace, and a sense of belonging.
Now, with the ranch being sold, Alana and Arthur are grieving the thought of leaving the land and animals that have become such a meaningful part of their lives. Closing this magical chapter is bittersweet, but they remain deeply grateful to RanchWork.com for connecting them to a place that truly felt like home. Though it’s hard to say goodbye, they believe in their hearts that something even more enchanted and fulfilling is just around the corner — waiting for them to bring their care, love, and respect for the land to a new home, and one day, to their very own.
To anyone searching for their own dream job or caretaking adventure: trust the journey, honor the land, and never underestimate what can begin with a single, hopeful click.
— Alana & Arthur
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