OUR HISTORY
Pearl of Grace Ranch was founded by Matt Gellenbeck, a man with a deep commitment to serving those who are hurting and in need of hope.
Early in his marriage to his wife, LouCinda, the couple welcomed a Hispanic family with several children into their home. As they cared for the family, Matt encountered the difficulty of finding appropriate placement for one of the girls.
He quickly realized that safe, nurturing spaces for girls in crisis were limited—and that something needed to change.
This experience ignited the vision for Pearl of Grace Ranch: a place where girls can find safety, healing, and the support they need to rebuild their lives. Today, Matt continues to serve on the Ranch’s board and remains actively involved in its development.
His dedication, along with the support of a passionate team, continues to shape Pearl of Grace Ranch into a refuge of grace, growth, and purpose.
OUR MISSION
Pearl of Grace Ranch will model Christ’s love, cultivate transformative relationships and help teen girls build character to make responsible life choices through daily discipleship, equine assisted learning, quality Christian education, and individual counseling.
At Pearl of Grace Ranch, we are a Christ‑centered ministry dedicated to helping young girls in crisis find healing, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. While we recognize the profound impact early trauma can have on a child’s ability to navigate life, we firmly believe that true and lasting healing comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
We are not affiliated with any specific denomination, but our foundation is deeply rooted in biblical truth. Our greatest desire is to introduce each girl to Jesus—the Great Physician—who restores broken hearts and gives new life.
Through consistent love, intentional discipleship, and the daily example of our staff, we seek to model a life surrendered to Christ. Our team is handpicked to reflect God’s grace and to walk alongside each girl as she discovers her God‑given worth and unique purpose in His Kingdom. At Pearl of Grace, we don’t just offer help—we offer hope rooted in God’s unconditional love.
Meet the STAFF
Toney Samons
Brother Toney and Sister Jeanie are our resident grandparents. They moved to the ranch parttime in 2016 to help Matt Gellenbeck restore the property and get it ready for occupants. After two years, they stayed on, Toney helping with the operations and Jeanie being responsible for decoration, preparing for events, and both working with families. Toney continues to serve on the Executive Team and Jeanie mother’s the staff and helps where she can.”We love working with a ministry that helps troubled teen girls find hope and help in Jesus!”
Amanda Elwell
I came to Pearl of Grace Ranch 7 years ago. I was looking for an opportunity to serve the students I saw slipping through the cracks in my public‑school classroom. I served in the school for two and a half years before transitioning to a role as a house team leader. In November 2024 I returned to teaching full time. I also currently serve as the interim executive director and program director along the other members of the interim executive team. I have been blessed to do life with the teen girls at Pearl of Grace in every role I’ve been privileged to hold and look forward to more years of serving our girls and families.
Andrew Young
Andrew is from Oklahoma and joined the team as facility manger in May of 2023. He enjoys seeing the ranch improved and maintained to serve teen girls and their families for years to come. He also enjoys helping out with general operations of the ranch and serves on the Executive Team. His sweet wife Jennifer enjoys hosting work groups and helping at the ranch any opportunity she has. They are blessed with two girls Angelica and Adalee. “We love being involved in helping broken, hurting girls, find the Great Physician!”
Janita Burkholder
Janita grew up in IN but lived in PA before coming to the ranch. She came to Pearl of Grace Ranch as a mentor in the fall of 2021. In the fall of 2024 Janita transitioned into supervision as a House Team Leader. She is passionate about helping build healthy relationships with our teen girls and staff. Janita loves to travel and experience other cultures. She has lived in Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. She loves to spend time out in the wilderness, hanging out with friends.
Brianna Weaver
Brianna Weaver from Lebanon, PA, joined the ranch team in 2022 as a mentor. After mentoring for 2 1/2 years, she entered into a supervisor role in 2025. Some of her favorite experiences have been, building a Covered wagon and going on a six week Covered wagon trip. Getting to do multiple equine trips, along with school, canoe and hiking trips. She loves the outdoors, and is passionate about showing God’s love to the teen girls at the ranch. One thing that is really amazing to her is getting to experience the power of inner healing prayer and how healing it can be for each and every girl or staff!
AMY Rackley
Amy is from Oklahoma and joined the Pearl of Grace Ranch team as our Equine Director. She brings years of hands-on horse experience, from starting young horses and halter breaking, to showing professionally and competing on a college ranch horse team. Alongside her love of horses, Amy has a deep heart for young people, having spent years mentoring youth, leading devotionals, and walking alongside those who are hurting through one-on-one discipleship and compassionate Christian care. One of the things Amy loves most is watching the way a girl can grow and heal through her connection with a horse. Amy and her husband Kaden are a wonderful addition to the Pearl of Grace family, and we are blessed to have them serving our girls.
Allyson PEight
I came to the ranch in May 2024, after I was strongly encouraged to pursue being a mentor here. I never envisioned myself mentoring but God had other plans. As a mentor I really enjoyed seeing how God can change lives, drastically sometimes and other times very gradually. This summer as I take a break from mentoring and work on some more training and personal things, I do a little bit of everything to keep myself busy; this includes cooking,cleaning, and helping in the school.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann is serving as head Cook. She came to the ranch on Jan. 31 2025. She first heard about the ranch from a friend in Aug. 2024 & thought, no way, not Oklahoma. But God kept bringing it to her mind through little things, then opened doors & her heart. She kept taking steps & asked questions & here she is. It has definitely been different for her but it’s a new adventure for this season of life. She did catering for about 15 years before coming. Started when she was 16. She has a dog & 3 cats back in Ohio with her parents all which she misses. But was time for a change. Hobbies are road trips/travel, taking walks, reading, horseback riding(rarely), jewelry making, volunteering at a local humane society, (really enjoy animals) & whatever else she thinks is worth trying in the moment. She likes trying new things & visiting places. Favorite thing to live by: Always try something new once, if you don’t like, it never do it again, unless it’s going to put you in a life or death situation. Use the brain the good Lord gave you. Choose life.
