Chestnut Mountain Ranch

I wouldn't be where I'm at today if I hadn't attended CMR. They taught me how to control my temper, how to listen and keep self-control, and how important it is to help others.

I will be graduating from High School in May and plan to further my education. I never would have thought I could have done it but am thankful for the Ranch for helping me get here

Kyler
When I first came to Chestnut Mountain Ranch, I genuinely had no idea what I was doing with myself. Every other month I was getting suspended from school and was on the verge of being expelled. I have ADHD. During my time at The Ranch I learned this was no excuse and my behavior was my own fault. After discovering that, I chose to begin working on myself at levels deeper than ever before.

I began reading Scriptures more, praying, and thanking God for everything around me, and still am. I learned that I have a bigger purpose in life, and The Ranch helped me achieve this knowledge. I mastered my impulses and learned how to behave in a school setting. I am now in my Junior year of high school and couldn't be doing better."

Kole
One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. When I reflect on this verse, I think about how much God has worked in my life and what he has allowed me to accomplish.

I have learned that no matter what challenges I may face in life, I know that I can get through it with God by my side. The life-long lessons and encouragement that I received at the Chestnut Mountain Ranch will be with me forever, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Jason
When I first came to the Ranch, I was very disrespectful to my parents. My family was not willing to work with each other. I was not willing to change until I started to talk about it. The Ranch staff would take a walk with me or go fishing and talk.

Brody
I was a train wreck when I first arrived at the Ranch. I was always in “shut down mode” when I did not get my way. I was very manipulative to others. My family wasn’t much of a family at the time of me arriving at the Ranch. I decided to change by not blaming others and looking at myself.

Andrew

Relationships

We help our boys develop relationally through counseling, our in-residence program, school and community engagement, and interacting with the public at our Community Store and Quick Lube.

Spiritual Formation

At the heart of our ministry is spiritual formation. Our boys are introduced to Christ and live within a gracious, truth-filled environment.

Education

With small classes and individual attention, our boys are able to get back on track in their education and prepare for meaningful and productive futures.

Our Program

Apply

Learn how to apply to Chestnut Mountain Ranch

Visit

Schedule a time to come see all that is going on at the Ranch.

Volunteer

Check out all the volunteer opportunities with the Ranch.

Events

Learn about the Ranch at one of our events

Donate

Donate online and view our in-kind needs.

Schedule a Speaker

Schedule a Ranch speaker for your church or organization

Seed to Vision: How God-Inspired Ideas Become Reality

By Steve Finn, Executive Director, Chestnut Mountain Ranch

Seed to Vision is a must-read for anyone with a God-sized idea who is unsure what to do next. Peppered with personal stories, former metro-Atlanta police officer turned boys' home and school founder Steve Finn shares the eight key tools God used to turn his seed of an idea into a vision and ultimately a reality--and how you can use them too. Be inspired to see that with God nothing is impossible--the idea He gave you can become reality.

Building boys into men

Restoration and reunification

Community and change

Adventure and learning

Friendship and spiritual growth