Whatever you do

“Excuse me, does your coat say Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch?”

I had just bused my dishes after a lunch meeting in a funky downtown coffee shop. The question came from behind the counter, where a young woman, not yet out of her teens, was pointing at the embroidered logo on the front of my puffy vest.

“Do you work at one of the Thrift Stores, or at the campus?” she asked.

We operate several Thrift Stores that, along with gifts from friends, help close the gap in the cost of caring for our precious children. I sort of stumble when I am asked that, because, while my office is on campus, I really work in all of it.

“Both. Sort of,” I said, and shrugged in a “it’s hard to explain” kind of gesture.

“I was at the treatment center and school for a few months a couple years ago. It was a really good thing for me. I didn’t get along with all the kids, but the teachers and other people were what I needed.”

“You look like you are doing really well,” I said. And, she really did. Her makeup was minimal, but lovely. Her shimmering, long brown curls bounced as she worked. Her clothes were clean and well-fitted, and she just looked healthy.

She blushed a little and looked down at the cup she was filling. Then, she looked me straight in the eye and said, “You know, I really am,” as a big, slightly self-conscious smile filled her face.

“I am so glad for you. Thank you for stopping me.”

“Thank you for whatever you do there. It helps,” she said.

I floated through the rest of the day.

Thank you for helping us help the kids. Please keep the children and staff of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in your prayers as we consistently pursue our mission “to help at-risk kids and their families succeed in the name of Christ.”

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