Mo Ranch is all hills.  Even though it is riverfront property and very beautiful, most of the facilities are up 
very high on the hill and safe from the flooding that happened last year, and again this summer.  Art @ 
Mo did take place during the flooding, but we were never in any danger. Safety is a priority, and the Kerr 
County Sheriff did come around to check in on us. Even with all of the rain, we experienced, I cannot 
even begin to describe the beauty of the ranch.  All of the buildings are stone and wood, and just kind 
exist within the nature and the surroundings seamlessly. In between the downpours, the kids were out 
playing volley ball or at the pool.  No one’s experience seemed to be hurt by the rains. 
Art @ Mo isn’t cheap, and I am a broke art teacher, but I filled out an entry for their raffle prize in the 
vendor area at the TAEA Conference in Round Rock last November, and low and behold I won.  It’s 
about $1000 for the week, plus some small supply fees, and it is worth every penny.   After attending this 
summer, I have decided that I will start putting away money for next year, because it was that amazing. 
 
Even with the religious side of things, I felt very comfortable there despite being Jewish.  I even had a 
wonderful and very moving and spiritual moment when I sat in on the first worship the opening evening. 
It was combined with the welcome and information session, so I sat in.  Later I had a visit with the 
clergywoman and told her how I felt about the things she said and how she had really reminded me of 
my mother who was a Rabbi. Lots of conversations happened over the course of the retreat with other 
members of the retreat and what became very clear was that it didn’t matter who you are or where you 
come from, everyone is welcome at Mo Ranch, all day, every day. The last day of the retreat features 
an art show by all of the participants in the different classes, and the works from the mini classes. It 
was beautiful.  By the end of the week, I mentioned to Rebecca, one of the women running the retreat, 
that I wished I could afford to come back next summer... “We have scholarships, and a lot of school 
districts will pay for their art teachers to come, so there is always a way”,she said.  I will be back there 
next summer, whatever it takes. It was that amazing. Oh, I said that in the last paragraph.  I could say 
it 100 times. It was that amazing! 
I didn’t take my family, I did this on my own, and found deep inspiration in the beauty around me, to 
drive my art making. This retreat really made me feel like I was refreshed and ready to start my new 
school year. It truly filled my cup.  The youngest attendee at Art@ Mo was 4 months old, and the oldest 
was 93. Yes, you read that correctly, 93.  You can bring your spouse and, or your kids, and if they are 
not participating in the art activities the cost is about $500. There are lots of things to do if you are not 
making art like river activities, spaces to sit and play games, a pool, hiking trails, fishing, birdwatching, 
biking, and a little café/coffee shop. You can also load up on Mo Ranch gear in their gift shop.  Reduce 
your costs if you bring and friend and share your room.  My room had 2 queen size beds.
  
Accommodations are very comfortable, like staying at a hotel, but a hotel at a sleepaway summer camp. 
There is WIFI, but there are not refrigerators, microwaves, or TVs in the rooms.  All meals are served in 
the dining hall.  This is where sleepaway camp meets retreat center.  There were church groups having 
summer camps there during the same week as Art @ Mo, so there were lots of teenagers around. The 
food was what I would consider far better than your average sleepaway camp.  I was a sleepaway camp 
kid for several summers as a kid, and my own children went to sleepaway camp, so I know what’s out 
there.
Mo Ranch is a year-round retreat center and even if you don’t go for Art @ Mo I highly recommend it 
for a long weekend getaway and I would have to say it is also strongly endorsed by TAEA since they 
have their Leadership Retreat here every summer.  In the fall they also have a long weekend for making 
holiday crafts. When you get to the TAEA conference in November be sure to swing by the Mo Ranch 
booth and fill out a raffle slip for a chance to go to Art@Mo. You will not be disappointed. Or don’t go, 
and I can win it again for next summer.  If you need a stronger recommendation, you can contact me at 
Abigail.eliezer@aliefisd.net.

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