This year’s Derby Ball would not have been possible with two very special volunteers. Rita Virt and Michelle Glassburn were the co-chairs of this inaugural event. The seemingly insurmountable requirements for putting on such an event are enough to scare most people away. However, Rita and Michelle rose to the challenge. Both of them said this wasn’t their area of expertise. And yet, both of them did an amazing job! If you were there, you know!


Their efforts and energy for making this event a success were heroic. NGHR wants to thank Rita and Michelle and their families! It would not have been possible without them all!


Get to know our special volunteers who brought the Derby Ball to Kokomo.


Rita has been with NGHR for nearly 3 years. She had participated in equine assisted learning before Narrow Gate. So she was familiar with the impact horses can have on the human psyche. She needed no convincing about the necessity of this type of ministry. Rita’s background is in social work, but all of us at NGHR saw her organizational skills right away. She is thorough and detail oriented. We can relax when we know Rita is coordinating events.


Her husband, David, jumped in and helped when needed too. He used his years of working in finance to help create the budget and manage resources. This couple of 34 years is a dynamic team! “David is the visionary, and I know how to make it work,” Rita said.


Rita said that the most amazing part of the Derby Ball for her was observing people as they began to understand what it is that we do. She soaked it all in as the guests watched the demonstration video with tears in their eyes.


“It was beautiful to watch them get it,” she said, “and now they want to work with us because they understand just what we do.”


Rita brings a gentle, caring spirit with her as she comes to the ranch. She is quick to make an acquaintance and make each person feel special. Rita has a creative soul and loves when it can come out in landscaping.


She said she’s kind of drawn to NGHR horse Patches because “she’s obnoxious and can also be compassionate.”


Yes, that is Patches!


Michelle has been with Narrow Gate almost 2 years now. New to the equine learning world, she is still getting her feet wet in that respect. She had the perfect opportunity at a recent training because she was asked to be the student for the day. She had to lead a horse while blindfolded!


She said she learned a lot about communication that day as she worked with the person who was her “eyes” telling her which way to go. Michelle thought that being able to understand how the students might feel was powerful. Also, Michelle related how impactful and unforgettable the experience was:


“These are lessons that the kids will always remember. There’s something different about it when you’re the one working with the horse.”


Michelle is a natural networker. She makes friends wherever she goes and is eager to help everyone feel included. She has always been involved with volunteer work. Michelle is a veteran volunteer for the grief camp and with the special Olympics. We are so grateful she chose to serve with Narrow Gate as well! She has been the volunteer coordinator for over a year now and co chaired the Derby Ball. Michelle says that she has never been on a mission trip even though she has always wanted to go somewhere. She said of Narrow Gate, “This is my own mission, and I don’t have to travel too far! I like that it’s faith based and in the community.”


She loves to be outdoors and to go kayaking, but being “Grams” is the best. She has a contagious laugh. Her kids know who to turn to when “nothing seems to be going on.”  “Mom,” they say, “make us laugh.” We love laughing with you too, Michelle!!


Her favorite Narrow Gate moment was the prayer walk we had this summer before our classes got going. “This quiet place, away from the city, has been blessed and prayed over for these kids.”


NGHR is so thankful for these women of faith!