Awakened Longing - Ch 8

Discover Raven’s vision for a transformative horse training center as she guides Val through her beloved ranch.

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Previous chapter is HERE.

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Val found her way to Raven’s ranch easily and saw Raven waiting for her as she pulled up.

“How did you know when to come out to meet me? You have ESP or something?”

Raven smiled. “Something like that. Sabakari senses. My grandmother told me that our ancestors developed a sense of awareness to protect our people from predators, animal or human. We sense a change in vibrations, much as bats use to tune into their prey.”

“Wow! And I was joking. Sounds like a superpower. Listen. I’m so glad you invited me to see your ranch. I think I let the child in me take over our conversation when we met last week at the airport.”

“I’m glad you’re here. No worries about your inner child. We don’t let them out often enough.” Raven guided Val up the steps and added, “Let’s put your things in the house, and I’ll give you a tour.”

As Raven leads Val on a tour of her ranch, she begins with a sweep of her hand, gesturing toward the ranch house that stands proudly at the center of it all. "This is the heart of the place," she says, her voice blending pride and nostalgia. "My family has lived here for generations. The adobe walls have seen a lot—births, deaths, celebrations. You’ll find old photos and artifacts inside that tell our story, and the views... well, the views alone can tell you why this land is so special."

Val takes in the wide, shaded porch that wraps around the house, imagining the history within those thick walls. As they step away, Raven leads her down a path worn smooth by time. The route meanders through native plants like in a botanical garden.

They approach the stables, where the warm scent of hay and horses fills the air. "This is where I spend most of my time," Raven says, her voice softening as she glances at the horses. "Meet Spirit," she nods towards the powerful stallion, "and Solana," gesturing to the graceful mare. "And over there," she points to a corral in the shade, "that’s Luna. She’s for guests to ride. They’re my partners in all this. Ben’s horse, Sunny, is out in the pasture. I mentioned Ben the other day, didn’t I? My cousin, who owns a ranch house, done the hill? Actually, Riley is his neighbor.”

Val nodded as she stroked Luna’s soft coat, “Yes, I met Ben a while back when I became a Master Gardener. He introduced me to Riley when she first came to Echo Canyon.”

Raven continued, “Ben and I took a long ride yesterday, and he likes Sunny to be free to run on “off” days.” Raven adds, making quote signs in the air.

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They headed toward the training rings and corrals, and Raven’s tone became more businesslike. "I’m turning this into a place where people can learn about horsemanship and maybe even find healing. The training rings are perfect for teaching—soft sand and plenty of space. And the corrals have been here for years, but they’re as sturdy as ever."

As they walk past several old cabins nestled under the cottonwoods, Raven slows her pace. "These cabins were for stablehands, but I’m fixing them up for guests. I want to keep their rustic charm, though. There’s something about sitting by an old stone fireplace after a long day that just feels right, don’t you think?"

Val nods, appreciating the thoughtfulness Raven has put into every detail. They soon reach the mess hall, a large, inviting building. Raven pushes open the door and gestures for Val to step inside. "This is where we gather after a long day—meals, stories, the whole lot. When the training facility is up and running, I want this to be the hub where everyone can come together. The hearth there," she points to the large stone fireplace, "is the best spot on cool nights."

Outside again, Raven leads Val to a campfire area. "I come here in the evenings," she says quietly, almost as if sharing a secret. "There’s nothing like the stars out here. When guests come, they’ll want to experience that, too. There’s something about sitting by a fire, listening to it crackle, that grounds you. But you know you are a speck in this microcosm we call home."

Finally, Raven takes Val to the parking area tucked away from the main ranch buildings. "I didn’t want the trucks and trailers to spoil the view," she explains, "so we keep them out of sight here. The land stretches out in every direction, and I want people to feel that sense of space and freedom when they’re here."

As they finish the tour, Raven turns to Val, a small smile on her lips. "This ranch is more than just a place to me, Val. It’s part of my legacy.

I look forward to sharing it with others and showing them what this land and these horses can offer. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it."

“Let’s go up on the porch and have some lemonade. I’m thirsty! Would you like to go for a ride after we have a drink?”

“I’m thirsty too, Raven. And I would love to take a ride with you. Maybe a short one, as I haven’t been on a horse for years. “

“No worries there, Val. Luna has a gentle seat, and I bet you’ll be amazed at how good you’ll feel when we get back, and you’ll still feel it tomorrow!”

Raven took a long drink of her lemonade, the coolness of the glass preparing her to share something deeply personal. “You know,” she began, looking thoughtfully at her friend, “my approach to working with horses—and people—is a little different. It’s a blend of two worlds that don’t always seem to fit together.”

Val raised an eyebrow, curious. “How so?”

“Well,” Raven continued, “I combine Native American shamanism with modern psychology. It’s like bridging the spiritual and the practical. Shamanism teaches us to listen—to the earth, spirits, and what’s not immediately visible. It’s about respect and patience, understanding that there’s more beneath the surface than we often realize.”

“That sounds… deep,” Val said, intrigued.

“You could say that.” Raven nodded, chuckling lightly, “But it’s also grounded. That’s where psychology comes in. It gives us tools and a map to navigate the mind’s complexities. It helps people understand themselves, face their fears, and make real changes. When I work with horses—or their owners—I’m not just addressing what you can see. I’m looking at the whole picture—body, mind, and spirit.”

Val leaned in, clearly captivated. “So, you’re saying it’s not just about the horse or the person, but everything connecting them?”

“Exactly,” Raven replied, a small smile on her lips. “Healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about understanding the whole—how everything fits together. And when you do that, real change happens.”

“You know, Raven. That’s not so far afield from how I view nursing. If you only look at the symptoms, you might put on a bandage but not uncover the real problem.”

“Val! That analogy may be just what I need to explain my approach! I don’t think I’ve told you the mayor asked me to do a demonstration at the Sabáka city celebration. When the keynote speaker broke his leg, she asked me to step in.“

“That’s fabulous, Raven. What an honor. Do you think horse people will get it? I don’t want to stereotype them, but many seem upity and privileged. They think they can buy their way through any problem.”

“That can be the case, Val. And they may be the ones who need this approach the most. I hope I can break through their barriers. I was able to do this with clients all over the world and again with my last client, William. That’s why I was in Wyoming. I worked with his horse, Star. I think I mentioned them when we were chatting at the airport.”

“Oh yes, I remember you telling that story. I’m betting on you, Raven. Maybe they would come down for your demonstration.

“ Oh, I just remembered. A colleague in Washington had a similar challenge in her holistic approach to medicine, and her clientele is largely well-off professionals.”

“Interesting. Maybe I could talk to her sometime.”

Raven seemed to drift away deep in her thoughts. This will be the first time I’ve put myself in a public arena, attempting to explain my methods and beliefs to many. There probably will be some other horse trainers and owners there who will question my ability.

I wonder if William would come.