“Sunshine,” proudly wearing the #4 on his football jersey, became the fourth child in our family when he came to live with us. His real name is Stephen. When Stephen came to us, standing over six feet tall at 15 years old, he was in 8th grade, and had already been through more than most adults could imagine. He had bounced through more than 10 schools, and with every move, he lost more of the structure and stability every child needs and deserves. He embraced the name "Sunshine," drawing strength from the character in Remember the Titans, and holding on to the idea that there was light at the end of his journey.

Stephen was a child trapped in tough circumstances. He had never known the comfort of a place to call home. His childhood had been filled with uncertainty, moving from place to place, and facing challenges most children never have to think about. But despite everything, there was something in him that hadn’t given up.

That glimmer of hope began to grow when his middle school coach took notice of Stephen’s athletic abilities. It wasn’t just about football or track—it was about someone taking the time to see behind his tough exterior. This coach didn’t just sharpen Stephen’s athletic skills; he became a mentor, teaching Stephen life lessons that gave him something even more important than skills on the field. He gave him hope. It was sports that opened the door to Stephen’s new life, and it was through those same sports, we got to know him—eventually leading to him becoming part of our family.

The road of bringing Stephen into our home wasn’t easy. There were moments when it seemed like the system might pull him away from us, and he’d have to move again and start over at yet another school. It broke our hearts to think about him facing yet another upheaval. During one of those difficult conversations with his school principal, a simple sentence struck me deeply: “There are so many more kids like him.”

Those words stayed with me. Shaped me and everything that came after, and they are what inspired the creation of SUNSHINE RANCH—a place where kids, like Stephen, can find stability, support, and most importantly, a place to call home.

-Daniel and Pam Ownby
Founders of Sunshine Ranch