The Unexpected Beginning

Massabielle Ranch wasn’t something we set out to find. We weren’t looking for land, let alone a farm. One quiet afternoon, I was flipping through a small real estate magazine when a tiny thumbnail photo caught my eye. It was a sliver of coastal land for sale. I didn’t think much of it at first, but something stirred inside me. A quiet voice kept saying, go see it.

I shared this with my husband and we agreed to call the agent. The property was already in escrow, so we let it go. But the feeling wouldn’t pass. Days later, I asked the agent if we could still visit. He said yes!

A Voice That Wouldn’t Let Go

As soon as we arrived, I felt it. There was something truly magical about the place. The stillness, the ocean view, the way the light hit the hills. As I stood on the flat part of the property, looking out to the sea, I heard a voice say, this is your farm.

I didn’t quite believe it. It was in escrow and out of our reach. But we kept looking at other properties, and every time, that same voice came through—this is not your land. That one is.

A Long Wait and a New Chapter

Six months passed. Then, out of the blue, the agent called. The deal had fallen through. Were we still interested? We were. The purchase closed on July 3, 2014.

Mama Mary Finds Her Place

Soon after, I had a clear sense that I was being asked to build a Marian grotto on the property. The location revealed itself, tucked into a quiet part of the hillside. I told my husband, who said he’d support it as long as the statue wasn’t too big. So I ordered a small one, just 18 inches tall. But when it arrived, it was shattered. I felt sick to my stomach, unsure if it was a bad sign.

A few days later, I found another statue. She was tall, made of white marble, and stood with grace and strength on top of a globe. I was drawn to her. I pressed the button “buy” even though she was much larger than what we had planned. Something told me we needed to prepare for Mother Mary’s birthday celebration on September 15, so there wasn’t much time.

A Moment I’ll Never forget

The day she arrived, we used a crane to try to place her in the grotto, but it couldn’t make it all the way up the hill. We were stuck. That’s when a friend called in a group of eight strong men. It turned out we needed twelve. Together, these twelve men lovingly carried her, inch by inch, to her resting place. One, two, three, inch away. One, two, three, inch away. I watched in awe. They created a pulley system, built a tripod, and slowly lowered her into a concrete cradle built into the hill. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

Once she was placed and secured, something incredible happened. A garter snake gently passed by her feet. She was standing tall, her base three feet deep in the hillside. It felt like a quiet affirmation from nature itself.

Guided Every Step of the Way

Before her arrival, I was also guided to build a staircase leading up to her. I had never designed anything like it. I was told to go to Home Depot and get orange stakes to mark the path. I didn’t know how, but as I placed each stake, the line formed on its own. I would ask, here or there, and somehow I knew exactly where it needed to be. When I stood back, the path was perfectly clear. The flowers too were chosen. Lavender and yellow flowers along the steps. Purple and yellow flowers with white roses—specifically Pope John Paul roses—around her.

A Living Sanctuary

Massabielle Ranch was born through listening, surrender, and grace. We’ve been here since 2014. Today, we are still deeply honored to be its caretakers. It is a sacred place. A sanctuary. A gift we’re meant to protect and share.