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“Yep,” Tom laughed. “And what’s crazy is that some people think he’s our brother too. Please have a seat. Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“I’m okay, thanks. I’ll just get some water.” I was about to stand up again but they shook their head.
“The waitress will be along in a second. So, Sadie, Nancy called us and told us that you are very interested in running a learning program just like we’re planning. And you grew up here, right?”
“Yeah, I did. My family owns a ranch, and my best friends, actually, own the largest ranch in town.”
“Oh,” Tom looked at me, his eyes twinkling. “Horseshoe Ranch?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Wyatt Hamilton is my best friend. He’s the youngest son. I pretty much grew up on Horseshoe Ranch.”
“So, you have experience working on a large-scale ranch then?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say working on. I mean, I’ve helped out a bit, but I’ve never really worked on their ranch. I mean, I help out on my ranch as well. I know, of course, the intricacies of day-to-day life on a ranch, and I know how to run a ranch, and—”
“You don’t have to sell us.” Tom grinned. “We’re actually very happy that you’re interested in working with us. What exactly did Nancy tell you about the program?”
“Well, she said that you’re setting up a resort and you want to make it a working ranch so that people who are visiting aren’t just coming for relaxation, but they’re coming to see what it’s like to actually work on a ranch.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much it,” Tom said. “Nancy said that you wanted to create some sort of program for local people.”
“Well, my big thing right now is trying to help out women, in particular, who don’t have skills and find it hard to get jobs working on ranches because, unfortunately, it’s generally a woman’s job. And right in this day and age… Sorry, I meant to say it’s generally a man’s job.” I made a face. “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.”
Dominic reached out and squeezed my hand. “Don’t be nervous. You’re doing great.”
“Thank you.” I was a little taken aback at the way he’d touched me and the way he was smiling at me now. “Well, I meant to say, you know, is that it’s men that are generally expected to work on a ranch, and women aren’t really given those skills. Even in school, you know, we’re expected to focus on other things. And in this day and age, women need to be able to work and make an income as well. And we’re just as capable as men as doing many of the same jobs. So I want to create a program that trains women and gives them these skills. I’d like to focus on low-income women, single mothers, women that had to drop out of high school, or who weren’t able to go to college.” I chewed on my lower lip. “And, of course, men as well, of course.”
“Of course,” Tom said. “You want to help those who don’t have the skills and maybe don’t have the money to pay for an education to get them.”
“Exactly. I have a friend who’s a single mom. And she’s looking for a job, and she really can’t get much, and she’d love to pick up some skills. I know she’d love to be part of the program.”
“Indeed, indeed,” Tom said. “So how do you see this program working in conjunction with tourists that are visiting?”
“Well, I figure maybe a certain percentage of the class could be made up of local people who are part of the course run through a nonprofit.”
“Hmm,” Tom said. “And do you have a nonprofit in mind?”
“No, but,” I took a deep breath, “I was thinking perhaps I could start the nonprofit, and the program could be a joint venture with my nonprofit and your company.”
“I see,” Dominic said. “I’m surprised.”
“What are you surprised at?”
“I’m just surprised that you’ve thought this through so thoroughly. I believe Nancy just spoke to you this morning about the program, right?
“Yeah,” I said. “But I’ve been thinking about my nonprofit idea for a while.” That was a slight lie. I’d been thinking about it very recently in depth, but they didn’t have to know that.
“Okay, well, I like the sound of it. Do you have any idea what it would cost?”
“No, but I could figure it out.”
“And do you have any idea as to the size of the program?”
“Well, I think that would also depend on how many tourists you want in the program and how many other people you’re planning on hiring to do the training. I mean, I’m only one person.” I grinned. “And yes, I’m a hard worker, but I can’t do it all.”
Tom shook his head and smiled. “We certainly wouldn’t expect you to do it all.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow. “And it’s not going to be a problem with your friends at Horseshoe Ranch?”
