03/02/2026
When John started talking about retiring, most people thought that meant slowing down. Not him.
He was a Magnolia boy through and through. I was the city girl from Missouri. Somehow we both fell in love with this farm and built our family here. But for so many years, work had us coming and going — especially John, spending years out of town in the hotel business.
Retirement, to him, wasn’t about stopping. It was about finally coming home for good. He wanted to be on this land every day. He wanted to build something here — something that would let us share this farm we loved so much with other families.
Big Oak Hill Ranch was his dream. Being named Small Business of the Year feels like such a sweet reminder of how far that dream has come. Every corner still carries his heart in it.
We’re so grateful for our staff who care for this place — and for our family — like your own. This award simply wouldn’t be possible without you.
And to every bride and every member of this community — thank you for loving this place with us. Thank you for trusting us with some of the most important moments of your lives.
We’re still growing. Still adding. Still dreaming. Still trying to do it the way John would have wanted.
Thank you to the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Members. You have no idea what this award means to our family.
With a grateful heart,
Susan 🤍
