The Power of a Legacy Read online

  Chapter 2 - Inheriting a Dream

  “Jasmine, is it not truly amazing how Papa prepares blessings for His Beloved generations before they are born,” mused Eli.

  “It is wonderful!” Jasmine replied. “He is always at work in their history to accomplish His story in their lives. I wonder if they understand.”

  “Most do not. Some do. Others will,” decreed Papa.

  The miracle began on a day like any other day at the Randal home. Bella was telling her dad a joke as they arm wrestled at the kitchen table after breakfast. Bella’s mother brought in the mail and set it down next to her husband’s coffee cup then went to sink to finish the morning dishes. After letting his daughter win the wrestling match, Mr. Randal turned his attention to the pile of papers before him. After sifting through various letters, advertisements, and bills, he finally said, “Well now, what’s this?”

  Picking up a large brown envelope addressed to “Ms. Isabella Janea Randal” and labeled “Confidential”, Mr. Randal then noticed the sender’s name. “Myers, Murphy and Milner, Attorneys at Law. What on earth do three attorneys from Spokane want with my daughter?” he said handing the envelope to Bella. Mrs. Randal sat down next to her husband to listen as Bella read the enclosed letter out loud.

  “Dear Ms. Randal:

  We regret to inform you Mrs. Ilene Meredith-Caldron passed away on July 10th of this year. As commissioned administrators of her estate, it is our duty to manage the distribution of her assets as outlined in her Last Will and Testament.’

  Mrs. Caldron has named you, Ms. Randal, as the sole beneficiary of her entire estate. Assets include current cash reserves, stocks, bonds and investments accounts totaling nineteen million dollars. In addition to her liquid assets, you are to inherit a one-hundred-acre ranch estate located in Millwood, Washington; all real property located on and attached to the Millwood ranch, as well as all real and personal possessions located inside all existing structures, including the main residence. We estimate the total current value of the Caldron estate is in excess of forty-two million dollars.

  We request your presence at our office in Spokane, Washington on Tuesday, July 25th to sign the paperwork transferring legal ownership of Mrs. Caldron’s estate to you. Please call to confirm your receipt of this letter and your appointment on July 25th at ten o’clock. Thank you.

  Yours Truly,

  Mr. Thomas. P. Myers, Esquire”

  Isabella was speechless! Wide-eyed, she carefully set the papers down on the kitchen table. “Oh my goodness!” was the only thing she could say. Then looking up at her parents she said, “Dad, did you know about this?”

  “No, Honey,” Mr. Randal replied. “I’m as surprised as you. I haven’t had contact with Aunt Ilene since her husband, your great Uncle Zach, died more than twenty years ago. Now, there’s a story for you! Zachery Caldron, II was a lumber tycoon. He originally made his fortune when the Sequoia Union Railroad decided to build an east-west line from Rock Candy Mountain in Idaho through the Cascade Mountains west to Seattle. A section of the proposed rail line traveled across the northern part of Uncle Zach’s property. He made a fortune on the sale of his land to the government. With his profits, he built a very successful lumber company called Millwood Logging Company. I believe the company is still in business.”

  “I remember the time Aunt Ilene came to see us,” Bella said. “I was very young but I remember her visit because it was the same summer that cougar killed my cat. I still remember how nice she was and how she always smelled like lilacs. I know she never had any children of her own. But it is still hard to believe that after all these years she would bequeath all her earthly possessions to a great-niece she hardly even knew. As a four year old child, I had no idea I made such a lasting impression,” she laughed. “I don’t know what to say. Dad, what should I do?” asked Isabella.

  Reaching across the table and firmly taking his daughter’s hand, Mr. Randal smiled and replied, “I think you better make airline reservations for Spokane and start packing, girl!”

  When all the legal papers had been signed and notarized, Mr. Meyers drove Isabella out to the ranch for a closer look. It was like a dream come true! The Caldron estate was actually about ten miles northeast of Spokane, near the Spokane River. The North Cascade Mountain range provided a breathtaking eastern view. Looking southwest, Mount Rainer towered majestically above the valley floor. It was an awe-inspiring sight!

  The estate contained thirty acres of apple orchards which produced some of the best Red Delicious apples in Spokane County. In addition there were twenty acres of alfalfa fields. The hay was used to feed the ranch horses and the excess was sold to local ranchers.

  And to Bella’s amazement, there were even camp grounds at the very southeastern corner of the property, complete with a dozen or so real teepees and a huge, logged rimmed fire pit. The attorney told Isabella the campsite had originally been built for the Millwood Lumber Company employees and their families to use during the summer months.

  The remaining estate consisted of a multi-level residential mansion, a sprawling, two-story barn, a circular riding track, and miles of well-kept horse trails. The house itself had nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen and BBQ pit, tennis courts, and a large, four-bedroom guest house.

  The barn had twelve stalls and was still well-stocked with saddles, blankets, stirrups, bits and bridles for the nine resident horses. Hay, buckets, grooming brushes, etc, were also kept inside the barn. Housing for the foreman and four other hired ranch hands was just south of the barn. And surrounding the entire estate was beautiful white picket fencing.

  That night, Isabella stayed at the Bigelow Bed and Breakfast Inn, a quaint, picturesque hotel in Millwood overlooking the Spokane River. After dinner Isabella called her parents. They put the call on speaker phone so they both could hear the conversation.

  “Oh mom, you would not believe how beautiful the Caldron estate is! And I’ve been thinking. This would be a fantastic place to start a riding school. I could use the horses already there to teach people how to ride and care for their own horses. I could also take riders on overnight campouts along the trails. There are absolutely miles and miles of spectacular trails! Dad, do you think I’m crazy for wanting to do something like this? Do you think this is an impossible dream?” she asked.

  Bella’s dad was quick to reply. “Honey, there’s no doubt in my mind you can make this happen and I think Aunt Ilene knew it. That’s why she gave the entire estate to you. Impossible is just not a word in your vocabulary. I say, ‘Go for it’, my precious, blue-eyed Maverick. But just make darn sure you invite your old parents to stay in that guest house once in a while.”

  Bella heard both her parents laughing after that remark. “Thanks Dad. I was hoping you’d say that. But there’s more,” Bella continued. “Mom, you remember how I wanted to do something for those two orphans who came to our church four years ago? Well, I have another idea. I’d like to turn those campgrounds into a place where orphans can come and spend weekends. You know, teach them to ride, take them down some easy trails, let them sleep in the teepees, make smores around the campfire, and teach them some of the local Indian culture. What do you think about that?”

  “I think it’s a marvelous idea!” Bella’s mother exclaimed. “Your father can call you whatever he wants, but you’re still my ‘Three-Iyed Girl – industrious, independent and impassioned.’ That nickname fits now more than ever before. Honey, God has given you an incredible opportunity. And I’m so proud of you for having the courage to embrace the moment and follow your dreams.”

  One month later Isabella moved to Millwood, a decision she never once regretted. That was seven years ago. Since her relocation to Washington State, Bella opened the Bella’s Trails and Riding School which quickly became one of the best organized and well-known horse riding schools in the nation.

  Bella also heeded her mother’s encouragement and started Camp Orion for orphans. Once a month, child
ren without parents come to Millwood to enjoy the delights of the great outdoors. They are treated to a fun-filled weekend complete with riding lessons and a special evening rain dance performed by the local Kootenai Indians. Isabella not only teaches the children to love nature, but she helps them learn to love life with the same gusto and passion she enjoys.

  Two years after the camp opened, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce presented Isabella with a special award for “Impassionate Service to the Disadvantaged Children of Spokane Valley.” Bella appreciated their kind words. But seeing the delight in the faces of orphaned children getting on a horse for the first time was all the reward Bella ever needed.