You’ve got Suess today – with the story of how Ginny and I met! It began in 1980, with a phone call.
I was a 16-year-old with a big dream – to be a Sky Ranch Wrangler. It was a coveted position, but I was determined to try.
I filled out my application carefully, even though the only picture I had to send was my high school yearbook sorority portrait. I knew the formal shot, with a fur wrap, made me look nothing like a horse wrangler. I was hoping my written answers on the application would make Ginny curious to know more.
The long hot days of a Texas summer were approaching when Ginny called me.
The call went something like this:
"Hello?"
"Is this Susan?"
"Yes."
"Susan, this is Ginny, head wrangler at Sky Ranch. I'd like to talk to you about your application."
"Oh, well HIIII! I'm glad you called. I 'd...."
Ginny's laughter interrupted my sentence . . . “That is quite an accent,” she said, still laughing.
I have a very thick West Texas accent, so the 'I' was very pronounced. Ginny, not being from Texas, tried to hold back her chuckles as I resumed speaking. She’ll tell you that I can often make 3-4 syllables out of one letter!
Back to the call… "I'd love to talk to you!" I finished.
During our conversation, we decided on the weekend for me to make the six-hour drive from Abilene out to Sky Ranch in East Texas. Ginny never hired anyone without a working interview to prove their horsemanship skills.
Standing 6 foot tall without her cowboy boots on, Ginny cast a tall shadow. Her quick laugh and beautiful smile captured everyone she met. Quickly a ranch favorite; the head wrangler of an East Texas ranch, fresh out of college, Ginny set out to fulfill a life goal -- "to work on a horse ranch in Texas."
One of her duties was hiring teenage kids to be "wranglers" for the summer. Our duties were to assume total care for the 40+ head of horses, as well as teach horsemanship to summer campers, lead trail rides, and participate in the weekly play-days. Her duties were to maintain sanity and safety as she supervised everyone . . . hundreds of summer campers and a dozen teenaged wranglers as well as her beloved horses. In short - she was totally responsible for both the 2 and 4-legged creatures.
The weekend finally arrived. I was beyond eager to prove myself. I dressed carefully in jeans, a western shirt, and boots that made me taller than my 5’2”. I pulled my long dark hair into pigtails and tried to walk confidently across the pasture toward the large red barn.
I liked what I saw. The horses, well cared for, grazed calmly in the pasture. They looked at me curiously as I walked through them.
When I entered the barn and met Ginny, there was an instant connection. I come from a stoic, quiet family, so I wasn’t used to talking about myself, but Ginny had a lot of questions for me. I was surprised by Ginny’s sincere desire to listen and know me. Her desire, combined with the deep peace I felt in who I hoped would be my first boss, enabled me to open up. I also wanted to know more about this woman.
Once I had answered all her questions, it was time for Ginny to find out my horsemanship abilities. I was confident, but I couldn’t have expected what she threw at me.
Ginny had a task for me . . . to bridle Babe, the tallest horse on the ranch. The horse hated the bridle and would stick her head straight up in the air to avoid it. I am very short. The horse was very tall.
You see the potential problem, right?
I knew Ginny was testing me. I didn’t know, however, that she had also hidden around the corner of the barn to watch me.
It went exactly like you would expect. I raised the bridle to slip it on Babe’s head.
Babe lifted her head straight up – WAY above my reach.
I lowered the bridle. Babe lowered her head.
I raised the bridle. Babe raised her head.
I tried from every angle. I pleaded with her to cooperate.
Babe was not impressed. This was a game she could play all day. She knew she would win.
I became more and more frustrated. I knew I had to take a different approach if I was ever going to bridle Babe. I had dreamed of making a good impression. Instead, I was failing at my first task!
Suddenly, an idea sprang into my mind.
I dashed out of the stall, ran into the barn, and found a dusty grain room. I grabbed an empty black bucket and littered the bottom with fresh oats.
I returned to Babe’s stall and offered her the bucket of oats. Just as I had hoped, she lowered her head to take a bite.
I was ready! As her head came down, the bridle came up. I slid the bit between her teeth, buckled it securely, and stepped back with a deep breath of accomplishment.
I’m not sure who was more surprised – me or Babe!
At that moment, Ginny stepped from her hiding place. “You’re hired,” she announced.
Ginny’s eyes were flashing with laughter and respect as she walked over to the stall. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone bridle a horse that fast.”
I stared at her. “I’m hired?”
“Definitely. I want the first wrangler I hire to be someone who can think outside the box. You’re going to face a lot of problems and situations this summer. You’ve convinced me you can handle anything that comes.”
The rest of the weekend was spent riding, leading trail rides, and having long conversations.
Together, that summer, Ginny and I sweated, toiled, and shared our hearts -- it changed both our lives. That small twinge of connection we both felt grew into a deep, lasting, powerful, friendship!
45 years later, we are no longer simply best friends – in 2024, we have been married for almost eight years!
I wrote this story because Ginny believed in that short Texas girl who spoke so funny (I still do . . . just ask me to say ICE, RIGHT, or LIGHT). She kept on believing in me throughout the years as I grew into a wife, mother and writer.
She truly does practice what she preaches . . . and I can tell you, she always has!
Ginny is a Bregdan Woman!
Never underestimate the power of faith in someone. I can tell you story after story of how this friendship has sustained, empowered, challenged, and saved each of our lives through the years!
Believing in someone is powerful and makes a tremendous difference. So remember, the next time you are challenged with a "Babe situation," that thinking outside the box might just give you the answer and the friend you need!
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What will you do to be a Bregdan Woman?
How will you impact history??
We’re on this journey with you… (and have 2 FREE Gifts for you below!)
I've been wondering for a while who Suess was! Mystery solved! Great story! P.S. - at 5' 3" I understand the short girl struggle 😂 It definitely requires some out of the box thinking sometimes!
Thanks for sharing the story of your lives together with all of us. I think you both are very lucky!
I've been wondering for a while who Suess was! Mystery solved! Great story! P.S. - at 5' 3" I understand the short girl struggle 😂 It definitely requires some out of the box thinking sometimes!