Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Gray.
Hi Tara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Tara Gray’s journey with Candlelight Ranch began in 2006 during one of the most profound and heartbreaking moments of her life. Her daughter, Reese, was born with a terminal illness and lived just six short months. Yet in that brief time, Reese’s spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who met her. Even as a baby, it was clear that her life carried a deeper purpose and a different path.
In Reese’s final days, the doctor caring for her—who was also serving as Board President of Candlelight Ranch and had been part of the organization since its founding in 1999—gently introduced Tara and her family to the Ranch. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Candlelight Ranch became a place of healing, solace, and hope for Tara and her family. What began as a refuge during one of life’s darkest seasons soon grew into a lifelong calling.
For two decades, Tara has devoted her heart and leadership to the mission of Candlelight Ranch, helping thousands of children and families experience the healing power of nature. Over the years she has served in multiple leadership roles, including two terms as Board President and as a member of the organization’s Advisory Council. Today, she continues to champion the Ranch’s work through her role in development and community engagement, helping ensure that more families have access to the transformative experiences that once helped her own family heal.
One of the most meaningful milestones in Tara’s journey with Candlelight Ranch is the creation of Reese’s Treehouse, a magical retreat nestled among the trees on the Ranch property. In just nine months, Tara raised $50,000 to bring the dream to life in honor of her daughter’s memory. Today, the treehouse stands as a cherished space where children laugh, explore, and sometimes sleep under the stars. For Tara, hearing children say they’ve had “the best day of their lives” at Reese’s Treehouse is one of the greatest reminders that love and legacy can continue to bring joy long after loss.
Tara’s connection to nature began long before her involvement with Candlelight Ranch. Introduced to hiking and camping by her father at a young age, the outdoors quickly became her sanctuary. Trails, mountains, and quiet moments in nature provided clarity, strength, and perspective throughout life’s joys and challenges. In the years following Reese’s passing, nature became an even deeper source of healing—offering a place where grief could soften and hope could slowly return.
That personal experience shaped Tara’s passion for helping others discover the restorative power of the outdoors. Through her work at Candlelight Ranch, she has witnessed how time in nature can help children and families facing medical, emotional, and life challenges find confidence, connection, and healing.
Beyond Candlelight Ranch, Tara continues to advocate for outdoor exploration and community connection. As a board member of Come and Hike It, she shares her love for trails and encourages others to experience the peace and renewal that nature can provide.
Tara holds a bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness Promotion with a Secondary Education certificate. Her professional career has focused on nonprofit development, community outreach, and fundraising. She began her career with the American Cancer Society in 1999, where she discovered her passion for building community and supporting meaningful causes. After taking time to raise her family, she returned to the organization as a Community Development Manager, leading major fundraising events and volunteer initiatives across multiple counties in Central Texas.
Today, Tara lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with her family. When she’s not working to advance the mission of Candlelight Ranch, she can often be found on a trail—hiking, trail running, or simply soaking in the quiet beauty of the outdoors.
For Tara, every step on the trail is both personal and purposeful. It is a reminder that even through life’s most difficult chapters, healing can be found in unexpected places. And in her heart, she believes that a small angel planted the seed for the work she now calls her dream job—helping others find hope, healing, and joy in the very place that once helped restore her own.
Though Reese’s life was brief, her legacy continues to grow in ways Tara could have never imagined. Every child who climbs into Reese’s Treehouse, every family that finds peace on the trails, and every moment of laughter echoing across the ranch is a quiet reminder that even the smallest lives can leave the most profound impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the greatest struggles along my journey has been learning how to live with grief while still moving forward. The loss of a child changes everything. It reshapes how you see the world, how you experience joy, and how you carry pain. Grief isn’t something that simply fades away—it evolves, and you learn to live alongside it.
Like many families who experience the loss of a child, our family faced significant challenges in the years that followed. The emotional weight of that loss can place tremendous strain on relationships. About fourteen years ago, I went through a divorce, which brought another season of hardship and transition for our family. My children have witnessed moments of deep sadness and disruption within our family unit, and navigating that while trying to be the strongest version of myself as a mother has not always been easy.
At the same time, my dedication to Candlelight Ranch and carrying on Reese’s legacy has been both a source of healing and, at times, a challenge. I poured my heart into the mission because I knew firsthand how powerful nature and community could be in helping families heal. But balancing that passion with the responsibilities of raising my children and supporting my family has required constant reflection and resilience.
Grief doesn’t follow a straight path. There are seasons of strength and seasons where the weight of loss feels heavier again. Over the years, I’ve learned that healing isn’t about leaving grief behind—it’s about allowing it to shape you into someone who lives with deeper compassion, empathy, and purpose.
While the journey has certainly included heartbreak, struggle, and moments of uncertainty, it has also been filled with beauty. My daughter’s life, though brief, continues to inspire how I live, how I serve others, and how I find meaning in even the smallest moments. In many ways, the challenges have helped shape the person I’ve become today—someone who believes deeply in the power of healing, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My journey with Candlelight Ranch began in 2006, and over the years I’ve had the privilege of watching the organization grow into the impactful place it is today. What started as a place of healing for my own family quickly became my life’s calling. Professionally and personally, my heart has been dedicated to the Ranch ever since.
As Development Director, my work centers on building relationships and sharing the mission of Candlelight Ranch with the community. We serve families across eight counties in Central Texas, and one of the greatest gifts of my role is being able to connect with individuals, businesses, and supporters who want to make a difference. I spend much of my time out in the community, helping people understand the powerful impact the Ranch has on children and families facing medical, emotional, and life challenges. When people experience the Ranch—whether through a visit, a program, or hearing the stories of the families we serve—they often fall in love with it the same way I did.
Fundraising and community engagement are certainly central parts of my work, but what makes Candlelight Ranch so special to me is that I also get to stay closely connected to the children and families we serve. I’m incredibly grateful to wear many hats at the Ranch—working alongside our team, supporting programs, connecting with donors, and helping share the stories that bring our mission to life.
What I’m most proud of is seeing the ripple effect of this work. Over the years, I’ve watched thousands of children experience moments of joy, confidence, and healing in nature. Families who come to the Ranch during some of their hardest seasons often leave feeling renewed and connected in ways they didn’t expect. Knowing that I’ve been able to help create those opportunities is incredibly meaningful.
What sets me apart is that my connection to Candlelight Ranch isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. The Ranch helped my own family during one of the most difficult chapters of our lives, and that experience shaped the way I approach this work. When I talk about the mission, it comes from a place of lived experience and genuine love for what the Ranch represents.
I truly believe this work is what I was meant to do. Being able to serve this organization and the families who walk through its gates is something I don’t take for granted. As long as I’m able, I will continue to dedicate my heart, my energy, and my time to helping Candlelight Ranch grow and reach even more children and families who need the healing power of nature.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that has been most important to my success is the genuine love I have for Candlelight Ranch and the mission we serve. That love naturally flows into everything I do. When I speak about the Ranch, it comes from a very real and personal place, and I think people can feel that authenticity.
One of my greatest strengths is building relationships and helping others experience what makes Candlelight Ranch so special. I’ve been blessed with the ability to connect with people in meaningful ways—whether that’s families who come to the Ranch seeking healing, children discovering the outdoors for the first time, or community members and supporters who want to make a difference. I love sharing the story of the Ranch and allowing others to fall in love with it the same way I did.
Relationship-building is at the heart of my work, both personally and professionally. It’s not just about fundraising or community outreach; it’s about creating genuine connections and inviting people to be part of something bigger than themselves. When people see the joy, healing, and transformation that happens at the Ranch, they often become lifelong supporters of the mission.
I believe that when you truly love the work you’re doing and the people you’re serving, that passion becomes contagious. For me, that love for Candlelight Ranch is the driving force behind everything I do, and it continues to guide the relationships I build and the impact we’re able to make together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.candlelightranch.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlelightranch
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/candlelightranch/
