In a quiet stretch of Haysville, Kansas, tucked behind barns, buildings, and wide open land, there’s a ranch doing work few expect from a traditional youth ministry. Called Blue Sky Ranch, it focuses on helping young boys who grew up without father figures and uses, among other tools, horses to teach them responsibility, patience, and confidence.
When we at Bowers Plumbing Company learned about what BSR was trying to do, it didn’t take long — in faith and with tools in hand — for us to decide we wanted to help build more than just a shelter. We wanted to help build a home.
What Is Blue Sky Ranch? A Ranch, A Ministry, A Lifeline.
Blue Sky Ranch was founded by educator and coach Paul White. Years ago, Paul spent time teaching boys in a juvenile detention facility. During that time, he witnessed the harsh effects of fatherlessness: anger, instability, confusion. Over 90% of those boys lacked a dad at home. That absence, he believed, was at the root of much of their pain.
After that chapter, Paul moved to a high school teaching job in Wichita. In that transition, the idea of Blue Sky Ranch was born: a place where fatherless young men could meet mentors, learn trades, and have the chance to find consistent, caring adult men who believe in them.
What the Ranch Does: Real Skills & Real Care
At BSR, the work is practical and hands-on. In the day-to-day, the boys learn things like woodworking, welding, auto maintenance, outdoor and ranch work, basic life skills like cooking and budgeting, and “shop skills” that prepare them for meaningful work beyond high school.
There’s also an equine therapy component. Horses become more than animals — they become anchors for trust, responsibility, and healing. Working with animals, doing ranch chores, and learning respect and discipline in a stable environment are part of what helps the boys process past trauma and grow emotionally.
The Long Wait for a Home on the Property
The ranch property spans about 26 acres. It has facilities for teaching trades, caring for animals, and hosting programs. But for five years, the White family did not have a proper house on the property. A difficult financial period forced them to let go of their home, even as they kept the ministry running. They moved into a front building for a time, only to face mold issues that forced them to leave that space as well.
Then, this year, everything changed. A new house was planned and built through the collaboration of local partners, including (Sub:BusinessName}. We provided the plumbing, including fixtures, sinks, showers, a tankless water heater, full plumbing labor, and a mechanical room system designed to keep everything service-friendly and durable for years to come.
More Than Pipes & Woodwork
Blue Sky Ranch is a place where teenage boys get introduced to craftsmanship, responsibility, discipline, and sometimes faith for the first time. It’s a chance for them to see that someone believes in their worth. That experience doesn’t just change one summer, or one adolescence — it can affect a lifetime.
The statistics are sobering. Studies show that youth growing up without father figures are at greater risk for problems ranging from educational underachievement to mental health struggles. BSR confronts this problem by offering care, structure, mentorship, and hope. Knowing that our craftsmanship would support real lives and real healing made every part and every hour we donated worth it.
Why Bowers Plumbing Company Stood Behind Blue Sky Ranch
For us at Bowers Plumbing Company, plumbing and HVAC work is daily responsibility. We fix pipes, install water heaters, handle furnace repairs. But every now and then, our work can mean more than just a functioning home.
Helping build a reliable house for Blue Sky Ranch was one of those times. The same skills we’ve used to keep Wichita homes safe and comfortable since 1955 turned into tools for stability, support, and hope.
It reinforces what we believe: that a family-owned, local business shouldn’t just serve customers — it should build relationships. It should channel trust, resources, and goodwill back into the community.
To the customers who call us for their plumbing or HVAC needs: thank you. Your trust gives us the opportunity to invest in important, meaningful projects like Blue Sky Ranch.
If you want to explore more about our community involvement and how everyday service calls connect to deeper community impact, you can read more on our Community Involvement page.