” We’ re about the human connection— dropping the technology, getting outside, and sharing stories.”
— Derek Clifford
Rawhide Ranch wrangler Rex Runion, Shivika Jain, Colton Baty, and Rawhide employee Amy Nivens.
here,” said Koller, surrounded by a string of children giggling about their zip lining experience.“ It’ s the perfect place to get away from the city.”
In spring 2013, the ranch transformed the inn’ s main-level horse barn into The Banded Rooster restaurant. Clifford said having a commercial kitchen on site has lowered the ranch’ s cost to provide catering for corporate events and makes planning easier for those hosting wedding receptions at the ranch.
Westfield resident Eleisia Van Mol said she and her husband, Scott, couldn’ t have been more thrilled with their September wedding and reception at the ranch. The couple stumbled upon the venue online after discovering the astronomical costs of other locations. Van Mol said their wedding at Rawhide Ranch not only was elegant and unique, they pulled it off for less than a third of the cost compared to their other options.
“ The food was phenomenal, and the staff was absolutely amazing and on-point from our planning right until the wedding day,” she said.“ They were accommodating with whatever we were hoping to do.”
Indiana University assistant professor Ankur Dalia has taken his microbiology group to the ranch for two retreats and agreed that the staff’ s above-and-beyond
service, combined with the site’ s exceptional cuisine, sets Rawhide Ranch apart.“ It is an unconventional location for giving a research presentation and holding a retreat, but it totally works,” he said.“ We certainly plan on returning next year.”
Like most cowboys, Clifford relies more on word-ofmouth recommendations than traditional advertising. And it’ s working. Fifteen years after opening, the ranch stays busier than ever but remains a“ blank canvas” as far as Clifford is concerned.
“ We love delivering one heck of a product and being a place where guests know us by name,” he said.“ The best part is watching folks have an incredible experience and knowing they’ ll be back.”
Rawhide Ranch is located at 1292 State Road 135 South southeast of Nashville, Indiana. Visit < rawhideranchusa. com > or call( 812) 988-0085 for more information. •
Nov./ Dec. 2016 • Our Brown County 17