Ring Lake Ranch was founded in 1966 by the Rev. Maggie Kahin. Maggie’s family roots were in New England but she visited Wyoming as a child to ride at guest ranches in the area. She worked with youth in New York and England while her husband taught in the U.S. and overseas. Her husband divorced her in the early 60’s and as she considered her life’s direction, she felt called to start a retreat center. Maggie purchased the Ranch property, began building the Ranch buildings, and hosted the first guests in 1966. Starting in 1968, Maggie also served as the pastor of nearby Pavillion. Maggie served as the Director of Ring Lake Ranch and staffed it entirely with volunteers until her death in 1984.

The Ring Lake Ranch Board of Directors took over ownership and operation of the Ranch upon Maggie’s death. The first paid staff were directors who worked only during the summer. Year-round staff were hired around 2000; currently Ring Lake Ranch has four year-round staff and eight or nine summer staff. Retreats were originally all two-week sessions but evolved to mostly one-week sessions as guest schedules became busier. Evening sessions led by speakers were an integral part of the Ring Lake Ranch experience from the beginning, as were daily hikes and horseback rides. The Ranch has added and upgraded the physical facility over its history but the mission of ‘renewal in sacred wilderness’ has remained the same.