When We Were Pioneers

by Robert N. Ruesch 

Life can offer opportunities at the most unusual times, even when a simple request to drive a car and your life is changed forever. 

This is the story of a college student asked to drive a YMCA of the Rockies board member to a homestead that was for sale and then witnessed the decision to create Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA, and eventually work there for over a decade.

Robert N. Ruesch’s Newly Released “When We Were Pioneers” is an Inspiring Origin Story of the YMCA of the Rockies Second Property, Snow Mountain Ranch. Reading from the book and discussions this weekend all part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations at the local YMCA, Snow Moutnain Ranch. 

“When We Were Pioneers” from Christian Faith Publishing author Robert N. Ruesch tells a nostalgic true story documenting the founding and growth of the Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA set high in the Rocky Mountains.

The book is a visionary’s highlight reel, and creation Ruesch, a manager for the Snow Mountain Ranch for over a decade. He also works as a journalist and missionary for Christian Resort Ministries, and now lives with his wife in Evergreen, Colorado.

“It was a unique life,” said Ruesch. “Growing up with 2,200 acres in the Rocky Mountain National Park as your playground as a kid is pretty amazing, and I felt it needed to be recorded. Some of those relationships with the college staff, with guests and with my parents needed to be put down.”

Ruesch was raised at the YMCA, and in many ways was shaped by that experience. He has worked with the organization as a Chaplain, among other odd jobs, for over 40 years, including a stint at the Snow Mountain Ranch location in the 1970s and 80s.

Ruesch writes, “Life can offer opportunities at the most unusual times, even with a simple request to drive a car and your life is changed forever. Which then leads to a career with the YMCA of the Rockies. The question arises, how do you create a family vacation and conference center out of land that was once homesteaded? You need to construct not only the roads but install all the infrastructure, build the buildings, and market the property to pay for everything successfully. A daunting challenge, but when God calls, you answer.

“This is the story of a college student asked to drive a YMCA of the Rockies board member to a homestead that was for sale and witness the decision to create Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA (SMR), and eventually working there for over a decade during the formative years.

This is the story about the early years, the challenges, the excitement, and the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Ruesch’s new book is a lively and absorbing second volume written about the SMR, focusing on the beginning years that in many ways defined the unforgettable place it has become today.

Reusch will be sharing stories from the early years this weekend all part of the Snow Moutnain Ranch 50th Anniversary celebration.  It’s a weekend party for staff alumni and guests full of special activities, games and fellowship. A complete list of events can be found at Snowmountainranch.org. 

Consumers can purchase “When We Were Pioneers” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.