WINTER
As we sought to create new content for a brand new retreat this year, Nicole and I really wanted to learn more ourselves. The LORD led us to XO Institute and their Marriage Mediation program. After completing the training and putting the tools into practice, we can unequivocally say this is the best conflict resolution tool we've encountered. In 2025, we taught the tool to 5 couples in 1-on-1 day intensives and 7 couples at our first ever Rustic Romance Reboot retreat. We're excited to see the fruit!
SPRING RETREATS
23 COUPLES INVESTED IN THEIR MARRIAGES OVER OUR MARCH & APRIL RETREATS
Here's a few of their stories of the strengthening & healing they experienced:
"I grew up in a family where showing a soft side was unacceptable. I had to show I was tough, so I've always had trouble saying the "L-word" {love} . I lead men now, and can say I love men. But this weekend, I could see in my wife's eyes that she didn't trust me; it was a stab to the heart. I expressed repentance and told Kim for the first time how deeply I LOVED her."
Darren M
“I am blown away by this life-changing experience. We will never forget this! God moved in unexpected ways and I absolutely loved every minute of it!”
Marcus H
“The LORD stripped me of all control that I thought I had. One of them I learned was I didn’t really trust my husband to lead me. It is important for me to give him permission to take the lead. The LORD really stripped me this weekend of all that self-reliance, and gave me a new level of respect for my husband and desire to honor him more than I do.
Libby H
Summer
In August, we hosted our first-ever day retreat for couples considering marriage. We shared tools and insights on how to lay a firm foundation for a lifelong marriage. Here's what a few guests had to say:
"I really enjoyed the teachings & when we broke out into couples. It helped us have those hard conversations where we actually felt heard & not turn to argument and blame."
Alli S
"My greatest takeaway was communication and covenant relationship. We don't have good examples for that, but we want better for ourselves and our future."
McKenna R
"I truly feel the presence of God on the grounds. It is so peaceful...I can't wait until we are married to spend the weekend for the marriage retreat."
Rami C
Fall
"I can't thank you enough for providing this platform and opportunity to grow as a couple in Christ."
~Keith F
"All three tools were incredibly helpful. Giving us the time to use them in the moment was amazing. The distraction-free environment seriously impacted our intentionality to each other."
~Ashley F
“Last weekend Jason & I invested in our marriage and spent the weekend at Camp Refuge for a marriage retreat. No cell phone or kids all weekend! In Jason’s exact words, “That was the best weekend I’ve ever had” & I couldn’t agree more! It lit a fire back in us…not just in our marriage but in our individual relationships with God. God was SO intentional in every detail!! From the couples He connected us with, to the deep conversations that took place, to the lessons & tools we learned. Marriage is such a gift but it also requires intentional pouring. It reminded us how important it is to slow down, seek God together & continually invest in what He’s joined together! We left there feeling so refreshed, reconnected, grateful for how far we’ve come & on fire for what God is doing in and through our marriage. I can’t encourage married couples enough to do this retreat! We’re already signed up for 2.0 next year & we can’t wait to see what God does next 🖤”
~ Kaleigh L
"I felt the breath of God revive my soul and revive us. We have struggled 24 years with communication, but I was able to experience so many breakthroughs in that area. ..y'all just being strong and courageous enough to trust us to be vulnerable just infused us with that fire to go do it and imitate what we just saw.”
~ Penny F
Our care team is amazing!
To the team that makes it all happen, weekend after weekend, we are incredibly grateful.
Isn't our God so good?! We are humbled and grateful to GET to serve our guests year after year and remain excited about what He will do next year. Thank you to all of you who serve, pray, donate, and love well alongside us. Here's to another season of reconciling, strengthening, and establishing relationships!
to god alone be the glory!