Sarah Valentine
Executive Director/Founder
Riverside Ranch is a 501c3 non profit. Sarah is the author of “You are not Alone. He is Here” devotional book for those grieving and in deep sadness. She is married to her loving husband Matthew. Proud mother of their sweet children Jonah and Brooke. Proud dog mom to Hank and Bella and horse mom to JaRule. They reside in Clayton, NC. Sarah grew up in Fayetteville, NC and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.
Sarah is a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor with PATH International. Riverside Ranch is a therapeutic riding and day retreat facility in Clayton, NC on a beautiful 36-acre property. We opened our facility July 25, 2020.
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Sarah admits “I have needed Riverside Ranch just as much as I believe the people need it that I am building it for. Riverside Ranch represents Hope, Freedom, Healing and Community.”
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Heaven is a very significant and special place to Sarah. She and her family have experienced great tragedy and loss. Heaven is the home now for many of her loved ones. The River of the Water of Life is in Heaven. The Riverside Ranch property is in close proximity to the Neuse River as well. Rivers represent tranquility and peace, which flows into the connections of life in community. God gave Sarah the scripture Revelation 22:1 that inspired the name Riverside Ranch.
God gave a vision of Riverside Ranch to Sarah in March of 2017. She held onto to that vision even when Sarah thought she couldn’t get out of bed in the morning from grief and sadness. The confirmation was clear in Sarah’s heart and as time went on God began to shape what Riverside Ranch would become. A place of retreat and community for those with special needs , grief , mental health challenges and individuals living in assisted living and nursing home facilities. Sarah and her husband Matthew stepped foot on the property for the first time on February 17, 2014 which happened to be on the 4 year anniversary of their niece Alexis' death. Sarah and Matthew purchased the property on their 10 year wedding anniversary April 26, 2018. Step by step of faith with God holding our hands. God is faithful to make Riverside Ranch a reality!
“Grief has been one of the hardest things I have experienced. It has literally felt like I was knocked flat on my face and I didn't know if I would ever make it back up. At times I felt scared, angry, sad, filled with anxiety and even regret. Life didn't seem fair and at times still doesn't. My trust in God was shaken. Even in all of this extreme heartache I have experienced and felt God in ways so intimately that I have never before. God used horses, animals and nature to help mend a very broken heart filled with sadness. As I was seeing what helped me, my eyes were opened to how I could help others. The past 6 years have been some of the hardest years of my life. Loss makes you realize how precious life is and that showing kindness and love matters. We all have a purpose and I believe a big part of our purpose is helping one another and coming together as a community to encourage each other.”- Sarah Valentine, Founder of Riverside Ranch
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Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.
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To purchase Sarah's book, click below: A portion of of the proceeds benefit Riverside Ranch