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Jason Leach, JJ, 11, is an energetic boy who has intense explosive outbursts of many emotions. His outbursts range from anger, nervous fidgeting, screaming, and laughing. JJ has attended school at The Chestnut Mountain Ranch, a Christian school for young boys ages 10-16 in Morgantown, WV for a year now.

He came to the Ranch because of problems he was having at home and school. JJ’s Aunt Marsha and Aunt Lori found the Ranch for him, because of his behavioral problems. Aunt Marsha was his legal guardian for his whole life, because of his parents drug addictions. Aunt Lori as well helped care for JJ and continues to support him.

JJ’s parents, Candy and Jason, are separated and have recently received rehabilitation treatment for drug addictions. JJ’s parents currently have custody of him and they are working on building a better relationship. Clay Jarrell, program director, said, “The heart of Ranch is restoring the family, that’s really what it’s about. We want to walk along side them so they feel like they have somebody to lean on and help them to see that life can be different. If we instill hope into the boy and their family then we have done our part.”

In mid October 2013, the first home was built, the Joy Home. House parents Will and Kari Lynch, 28, run the home and are both recent graduates of West Virginia University. Kari and Will have two daughters, Emmy, 18 months, and Riley, two and a half. Kari said, “I experience the blessing of selflessness,” when talking about being the housemother and caring for the boys.

The home and school do a good job of teaching the boy’s responsibilities through chores that they do every day. Everyone pitches in to help keep the home and school clean. They are able to have a good time and enjoy roughhousing and playing games, while learning responsibility, discipline, authority and respect. Everyone on the staff is polite and dedicated to making a better life for the boys.

At school, JJ has two teachers, Mrs. Nancy and Mr. Doug. He has classes in Bible, math, reading, science, PBL (project based learning) and PE.

JJ said, “The Ranch is successful in helping most people there are some kids who haven’t had a good life yet and come here and it’s better. I did not get along with my parents well, there were lots of drugs around. I had to stay at my Aunt’s house. Everyone here helped me a lot.”

Since coming to the Ranch, JJ believes that he has gotten smarter and has stopped arguing and picking on people. JJ has learned about God, values God, likes learning about the Bible and going to church.

He is very thankful that his Aunt’s found the Ranch for him and that he has them and other people supporting, loving, and teaching him. He has started to build a better relationship with his parents, looks forward to getting a job in the future and aspires to be a basketball player.

Link to published story: Life on the Ranch West Virginia Uncovered

Full book below:


The Many Moods of JJ by Kathryn McCormick