The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz The fire has almost died. The embers are glowing a light orange with grey ashes sneaking up around them. Some of the other students are getting ready to slip into their wiggy’s. He could sit here all night, just looking at the stars. They don’t look this bright at home. Everything seems clearer out here. He looks across the fire where Scott is sitting. Scott, or Medicine Bull as he is known, gives him a head nod and asks how he is doing on his fires. He remembers the first time he busted a fire with only his bow and drill set. Scott showed him the way. Scott never makes him talk. Through his example he simply encourages him to try. RedCliff students learn firsthand the power of teamwork and the importance of individual contribution. They also learn they can count on their counselors. Staff members eat, dress, hike and otherwise live in the back country no differently than the students they lead. The result is the development, over time, of mutua...

By Stephen C. Schultz The white lines zipped past at a strobe-light pace. The song "Don't Stop Believin’" by Journey played on my car stereo. Traffic was heavy but still moving fast, at a pace between 75 and 80 mph. I was on my way to Discovery Ranch South . Discovery Ranch is a clinically sophisticated residential treatment center on a beautiful sixty-acre horse property. These teens have been making steady progress throughout their very personal therapeutic journey. They have all dealt with some pretty difficult challenges. Many of the teens are working through clinically complex family situations that include depression, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, attachment issues, substance use, or any combination of these and more. These teens have demonstrated courage, determination, sacrifice, insight, and resilience as they move through the process of growth and healing. On this particular day, I was heading to a meeting in the conference room at Discovery Ranch. As I walk...

  By Stephen C. Schultz Leaves fluttered to the ground as a crisp wind bit my cheeks. The tears welling up in my eyes were not born of emotion but of the chill in the air. The small creek to my left meandered down the canyon. The soft gurgling sound of running water as it crossed over ageless boulders was like music to my ears. A flock of mallards bobbed their heads and glided effortlessly in the current as the water swirled into a back eddy just around the next curve. This was truly a Place of Peace . For many families and individuals alike, finding a place of peace seems like a fleeting proposition. Whether it's a teenager, husband, or wife, addiction is no respecter of persons or societal status. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It brings emotional pain, family discord, and misery to everyone it touches. Addiction is a liar. It tells us there is no problem. It tells us we can handle it. It seduces us into believing that any problems or personal issues are not of our own making ...

By Stephen C. Schultz We’ve all been there—whether in private therapeutic practice, a hospital setting, educational consulting, or residential treatment. At some point, we’ve all worked with a student, patient, or client who is struggling and headed toward a bad outcome. Every therapeutic environment has a percentage of individuals who face significant challenges, despite the resources and effort dedicated to helping them. One of the biggest obstacles for these students is their inability to connect—whether with peers, parents, adults, or authority figures. More importantly, they struggle to connect with themselves in a meaningful and productive way through therapy. Often labeled as “treatment-resistant,” these students frequently move from one program to another, requiring a higher level of clinical care to address their needs effectively. That’s why Oxbow Academy was created. Since 2006, parents and professionals alike have referred to Oxbow as the best-kept secret in specialized ...

Blog Post By Stephen C. Schultz (Editor's Note: This is an email I received from Scott Schill at RedCliff Ascent yesterday morning. It reminded me that a very wise man and co-founder of our organization once said; "...yeah, no one comes back to visit the company that helped them...they come back to visit the people!") Hey Schultz, In the fall of 2001, I went to the field with my little boy Colton. He was 5 at the time. I came to a group hiking near Mt. Springs and we stopped to go visit with them. Colton held my finger as we walked through the sagebrush to the group. A new girl in the group wanted to talk to me so we stepped aside and she said; "Mr. Medicine Bull sir, I've been here 4 days and no one has come by to get my laundry." It was hard not to laugh. I told her she would be ok and to stay positive. In those days, the only way a student got clean clothes was by taking them off and washing them or by wearing them...

By Stephen C. Schultz I stepped out through the door and noticed a crispness in the air. The leaves are changing, the evening light is slowly fading and we are left contemplating this last year. I was on my way to visit Oxbow Academy with some therapeutic program admission professionals on a tour. We were engaged in the normal "Road Trip" banter and general conversation that makes its way into an hour long trip in the car. The conversation turned to work, job responsibilities and company culture. One of my colleagues made a statement that stuck with me. It was a normal comment that is common at virtually every place of business.  She said; "...yes, but they need to be held accountable." I thought about this for a second and then responded; "So...what is the difference between holding someone accountable and having a culture of accountability? Is there a difference?" We went on and had a great conversation. In fact,...

By Stephen C. Schultz The ’72-’73 school year was looking to be a good one! With the wind whistling through my hair, I coasted down City View Street on my green Schwynn Stingray headed to school at Westmoreland Elementary. Even though it had been a couple of weeks, I was feeling comfortable and getting settled in Mrs. Mansells third grade class. I came to a stop at the corner of 18th and City View and waited for the light to change. The school was directly across the street.   I stepped off the curb and into the cross walk. Once I was safely across, I rode on to the space behind the gym where the bike racks were.   I took the combination lock off my bike and rotated the tumblers to 9399 and pulled the green vinyl coated chain apart and ran it through the front tire and around the bike rack. I put the chain back together and rolled the tumblers to random numbers. This was the routine just about every day, rain or shine, for many of the students living in ...