They were interested.
Maya negotiated.
I sold seven and a half acres.
Not the ridge.
Not the cave.
Not the spring.
Just a lower section I did not use.
The sale paid me $238,000 after taxes and costs.
For the first time in my life, I had real financial security.
I did not buy a bigger house.
I paid off everything.
Set aside savings.
Opened an account for Lily’s education.
Then I did something people thought was strange.
I built three more tiny cabins.
Not for tourists.
For women coming out of prison.
Each one was modest.
One bedroom.
Small kitchen.
Basic furniture.
Six-month transitional stays.
No rent for the first month.
Reduced rent after employment.
Mandatory connection with reentry services.
Maya helped structure it.
Luis volunteered labor.
Samuel donated appliances.
Lily painted every front door a different bright color.
The project became known as Ridge House.
Even though there were several houses.
