2025 Leadership

Director: Ryan Simpson

Ryan Simpson is a teacher from College Station, Texas. He actively volunteers with the youth group at First Presbyterian Church Bryan where he was previously the Youth Director. He grew up in the same church he currently volunteers with, and was an active member of the youth group in that time. This is his second summer serving on the leadership team for Youth Celebration, and he can’t wait to see all the wonderful plans the leadership team has in store put into action! In his spare time, he loves to play video games, card games, fish, play sports, and spend time with his family.

Co-Directors: Nick and Amanda Ragan

Nick – Nick lives in Graham, TX with his wife, Amanda, their 2 dogs (dachshund/German Shepard and a mastiff/pitbull), 1 son (Gaidan, 18). They also have another son who just got married and moved to Wisconsin (Jaren, 24).

Nick has been the maintenance technician at their church for about 6 months, but has been a part of the deacons and elders since he was about 18. He has been a tattoo artist for 13 years, and he says he has a crippling addiction to hobbies. Just a few are motorcycle riding, 3D printing, blacksmithing, woodworking, playing in a rock band, and cooking.

Amanda – Amanda loves opportunities for ministry and was the children’s ministry leader at her church before she and Nick got married and she joined him at FPC Graham. At FPC, Amanda has the opportunity to volunteer in children’s church as well. Professionally, she’s surviving her first year teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade math at Newcastle ISD. Amanda is super excited to be a part of the team at Mo-Ranch this year!!!

Keynote Speaker: Josh Robinson

Pastor Josh Robinson is the senior pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX, and additionally, serves as a Chaplain for the Cedar Park Police Department and board member for Cedar Park Pride. Josh is honored to serve as this year’s keynote speaker.

Josh is passionate about building relationships, storytelling, and creating spaces where everyone feels like they belong. Outside of church, he enjoys curating music, building with LEGO, and spending time with his family – his wife, Wendy, their son, Phoenix (15), and dog, Sparky. Josh is a graduate of Austin College (BA, 2000), Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2009), and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (DMin, 2022).

Worship Leader: JP Marshall

JP is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, TX. He grew up in Mesquite, TX, went to college at Austin College, and completed his MDiv at Austin Seminary. He is married to his lovely wife, Susie, and they have their adorable toddler, Ezra, and their husky-mix, Kylo. Other than spending time with his family, he loves enjoying a good cup of coffee, being outdoors, playing board games, baking, and watching movies. JP served as the chaplain intern at Mo for a year while at seminary, and he has been looking forward to returning ever since. He is thrilled to be leading worship with you all this summer!

Music Leader: Grace Roberson

Grace is a native Texan who was born and raised on the beach in Corpus Christi. After studying acting and directing in college, she moved to Austin and is currently the Associate Director of Youth Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church. She has been coming to Mo Ranch since she was born and considers it to be one of the most spiritual places she knows. She has been serving as a music leader for various youth conferences for the last 9 years and can think of no place or role that feels more like home. In her free time, Grace loves hiking, being outdoors, reading, and discovering good music, movies, and food.

Recreation: Taylor Curtis 

Although Taylor lives in Fort Worth now, her career in recreation has lead her to many places such as New Mexico and Vermont. She’s been a backpacking guide, rock climbing instructor, camp director, and programs coordinator. Taylor is now a Pilates Instructor! Her favorite part of all these jobs is getting people moving in a creative, fun way. Bonus points if they can get outside!

Taylor’s ideal day is getting up early, eating a giant breakfast, cuddling her cat, Sheeba, while she drinks coffee on the couch. Then driving to a state park with her dog, Maze, going for a trail run or hike. Eating pastries, taking a nap outside, jumping into some cold water, and sitting around a campfire with friends.

Small Group Coordinator: Jessie Kuehner

Jessie Kuehner just moved to Vero Beach, FL. Yes, beaches actually have blue water, no offense Galveston!!! She is the Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. She grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and is a huge Huskers fan. She has her

MDiv and is a Certified Christian Educator in the PC(USA), yep she is certifiable. She has been going to youth stuff at Mo-Ranch for (wait she needs to take off her shoes to count) well, more than 10 years. She is married to her Husband, Brian and they have 3 kids, Lauren, John and Phil, and a miniature pinture dog. She loves energizers, coming up with random games, telling Dad jokes and is still trying to find time for a hobby.

In the World…

Romans 12:1-2

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

$285 per registrant/adult sponsor for group lodging.

$420 per registrant/adult sponsor for hotel lodging. 

Housing

Many of the buildings on our historic property were built as early as the 1950s.  We acknowledge that our buildings cannot accommodate all abilities and people yet and commit to making reasonable accommodations until all facilities are renovated.

Standard housing for youth conferences at Mo-Ranch is group housing. These spaces include, but are not limited to, Milk Barn, Milk Barn Bunkhouses, River Dorm, Guest Lodge, and Log Lodge.

Conference Housing Description – Shared space with other churches, youth groups, and conference attendees.

Sleeping quarters will vary from semi-private to dormitory style housing that can consist of 4- 20 beds in a shared communal living environment. These rooms can consist of single or double beds, and single bunk bed styles. For specific bed/room layouts, please visit Stay at Mo-Ranch • Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly (moranch.org).

Bathroom Facilities Description

Bathrooms in group housing are shared community spaces. Private showers and bathroom stalls are available. There are no designated private changing areas. Mo-Ranch encourages all guests/campers/staff to change clothes in private areas and discourages nudity or disrobing directly in front of others.

Mo-Ranch encourages all participants for youth conferences to reside in the community living environment. However, if this style of lodging does not meet your individual needs, please make us aware. We will make every effort to accommodate your housing needs. Changes in housing are subject to availability and additional fees.  

Considerations

Housing Reservations: When booking your group for a conference at Mo, please be mindful of our limitations and our available housing. Conference participants will be housed on a first come, first serve basis, though we will do our best to honor your housing preference. To be good stewards of the housing facilities that we have available, your group may be housed with other youth groups in dorm/group housing. It is always a good idea to share this information with your group, including youth participants, parents, chaperones, and church leadership prior to booking so that we may partner with you and your group to try meet the needs of your participants.

Sponsors

You will need a sponsor to youth ratio of 1:5. Adult sponsors must also pay and register for the conference. The number of adult sponsors must correspond to the gender numbers in the group they are bringing.  Five boys and three girls would mean at least one male and one female sponsor. If your group chooses to stay in hotel-style accommodations, youth will be housed 3-4 youth per room and churches may be combined to accommodate this arrangement.

Questions? We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.

Arrival & Departure

Arrive and check-in between 4 and 6 p.m. on the day the conference begins. One sponsor per group should check-in their group. Groups will be able to move into their housing facilities no earlier than 4 p.m. Conferences begin with dinner at 6 p.m. and end mid-morning on the day of departure.

Adult Sponsors

You will need a ratio of 1:5; 1 adult sponsor per 5 youth. Adult sponsors must also register and pay for the conference. The number of adult sponsors must correspond to the gender numbers in the group they are bringing. 5 boys and 3 girls would mean at least 1 male and 1 female sponsor.

Appropriate Dress

While we recognize clothing is one way young people express themselves, we expect them to do so in ways that honor themselves as well as the kind of community we are building during our youth conferences. We ask participants (both youth and adult sponsors) to dress comfortably for the weather, but also modestly. Please refrain from wearing clothing:

• that is too revealing like: short shorts, strapless tops or dresses, shirts that allow for a bare midriff, pants worn below the waist line. Dress should be appropriate for a youth conference. 
• that advertises alcohol or tobacco products
• that contains language demeaning or ridiculing someone’s gender, sexuality or ethnic origin

For recreation events, all participants are expected to wear shirts. Participants out of line with dress standards will be asked to change clothes.

Swim Check

Youth will be asked to take a swim check at the pool during the check-in period. For easy access, youth should remember to pack swimsuits on top. Swimmer and non-swimmer wristbands will be issued to all participants. All youth participants must take the swim check even if they are 18 years of age. Participants not wishing to take the swim check must go to the pool to be given a non-swimmer wristband. Wristbands provide guest identification to our staff and act as meal tickets in the dining hall, and must be worn by guests at all times. Please note Mo-Ranch’s appropriate dress standards when packing swim suits.

Stuff to Bring

Water bottles! Bible, casual clothes, closed-toe shoes for ropes course, swim suit (swim trunks for males, no bikinis for females. “Tankinis” are acceptable so long as no midriff is showing), swim towel, river shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight, toiletries, notebook, spending money and a camera.

Personal Electronics

The use of personal electronic devices affect not only the person using the device but others around them. Using an electronic device for activities unrelated to the conference can be disruptive and disrespectful. Mo-Ranch encourages groups to leave personal electronics at home. We ask that any electronic devices brought to the conference be kept on silent or turned off during all scheduled events (keynote, small group, worship, vespers, etc.) Distracting personal electronics may be collected by conference staff and turned in to a sponsor. Mo-Ranch or its representatives will not assume responsibility for devices that are lost, stolen, damaged and/or confiscated.

Transportation

Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event. If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport. Directions to Mo.

Ropes Course

This conference will include a selection of our ropes course elements. To read a description of each element, click here.

Trading Post

Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir!

Questions

We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.