Journal
From the Land
Guides, stories, and ideas for retreat planners, team leaders, couples, and anyone who believes the best thinking happens outside.
Why There's a River in the Name
Two nouns. Most people read the first one as scenery. It isn't. The river is the reason everything else here is the way it is, including the roots. The St.…
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The Land Was Always the Plan
Long before we owned this ranch, Jen was dreaming it. A working ranch with real horses. A ranch house you could actually cook in. Gardens that fed people. A…
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Three Worlds in Half a Mile: The Walk From the Ranch House to the River
I have started ending retreat days with the same thirty minutes. We leave the ranch house porch and walk west. It is about a third of a mile to the St. Marys…
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Planning a Destination Wedding Near Jacksonville, FL: The Complete Guide
When people think "destination wedding," they picture beaches in Mexico, vineyards in Tuscany, or cliffside chapels in Santorini. Beautiful, yes. Also…
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Why Couples Are Choosing Ranch Weddings Over Ballroom Receptions
Something has shifted in weddings over the last few years, and it's not just about aesthetics. Yes, barn doors and string lights are everywhere on Pinterest.…
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The ROI of Team Building: Why Retreat Venues Beat Jacksonville's Conference Hotels
Let's talk about the elephant in the conference room: most corporate team-building events are a waste of money. Not because team building doesn't work, but…
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Why North Florida Is the Next Big Destination for Corporate Retreats
There's a moment every leader recognizes — the one where you look around a Zoom call and realize nobody's actually here. Cameras on, brains off. The quarterly…
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