Because of a mule
Charity found a mule for sale in a little place called Pie Town, NM. She thought this was a joke, because certainly, there wasn't a real place called 'Pie Town'. Where the heck was that? When she told Larry about the mule in 'Pie Town' with a giggle, he assured her that it was a real place. Charity asked Larry if he would like her to buy the mule for him and Larry said yes. This is where their journey began.
On their drive up through Pie Town, Charity fell in love with this area. She told Larry she would love to have a home in a place like this one day, and that her heart felt so content while they were there. Larry looked at her and said, "this is my type of country. This is God's country."
They passed a beautiful little homestead, and Charity asked Larry to pull over so she could take some pictures of it. They fell in love with this little old home, that they found out later had been built in 1936.
After Charity bought George (the mule) for Larry, on their way out of this long dirt road, they passed the little homestead again and Larry noticed a for sale sign. They stopped at the property, and he told her that he would like to find out more about it. After they went back home to Deming, they contacted a friend in the area to get the owners number. Charity told Larry to call right then, but Larry was hesitant. She encouraged him to make the call, and he did. They talked to the owner named John on the speaker phone and really enjoyed their chat. John couldn't hear much, so he had his wife Anzie get on the phone who ended up being the one they spoke through. She was John's ears. John and his wife Anzie talked to them about the property and about God and their relationships with the Lord. He told them stories of their life while Larry and Charity listened. Larry and Charity fell in love with this little elderly couple immediately. Before they hung up, John had dropped the price and they all came to an agreement that Larry and Charity would buy the property.
What about a job for Larry? They had just picked up and left Deming, NM on faith. They actually had peace about Larry finding a job. He talked to people he knew from the area and felt good about the move. On one trip up to Pie Town, they stopped by the high school and talked to the superintendent who assured Larry that he would hire him and keep him busy until a full-time job became available. They knew God had His hand in this because of the way things all laid out and fell into place. It had to be God that put this puzzle together. From the time they picked up George until the point they started moving in, it had only been two weeks.
Within three months their family was moved to Pie Town, and they decided to call their little piece of God's country the TLC Ranch. Larry started working at the school, and the family started their new life.
And to the current time..
After teaching for a few years at the Quemado School, Larry decided to retire, and the family would open a little cafe in their home town, Pie Town, New Mexico!
Larry and Charity opened a little cafe in Pie Town called Does & Bucks Coffee & Cafe. At the cafe, they specialized in Smoked BBQ, Specialty Coffee in their full coffee bar, and Delight Drinks that are made with non dairy, coconut milk. They also have the best pies in Pie Town! Larry has been getting famous for his Key Lime pie, and Charity has been known for her beautiful art on pies.
The TLC Ranch family feel very blessed that they had this jump start at the cafe, but they have moved on to a new adventure.
Because they applied for a loan for the cafe and it was not finalized in time of their lease to expire, the owner of the property asked them to vacate the property until the loan and all paperwork were complete. She then changed her mind and told them they could stay on a month to month agreement, but she would be listing the property for sale and they were at risk of losing it before their loan was completed.
They didn't feel this plan was good for their family or the little cafe, so they decided to get the food trucks back on the road.
They are taking event orders, as well as doing special event catering. They are still serving their little community of Pie Town, but are venturing out!
Call in advance for your special event, or family take out meal.