The Gipes
We are Steven and Brandyn Gipe, a husband-and-wife team with a deep passion for helping children heal and thrive. Our family includes our amazing daughter, Quinn—a toddler obsessed with sparkles and the color pink—and our three quirky dogs, Trigger, Forest, and Sage. They can be a little mischievous if left alone with a trash can, but they are truly great companions. We are cherishing our last few years with Trigger, our old boy, and we hope to expand our little family in the coming years. We are the founders and heart behind Cedar Refuge!
We met in 2017 while working at a boarding school for at-risk youth and shared the passion of helping children heal from trauma and develop healthy behaviors.
Steven has over 15 years of experience working with youth, including eight years as a direct care staff for at-risk youth. He has long dreamed of directing a home for boys recovered from sex trafficking. I (Brandyn) have spent nearly a decade in the anti-child sex trafficking movement, including 2.5 years as a direct care staff for adolescent girls recovered from trafficking. My dream has been to establish homes where children in need could rebuild their lives, learn life skills, and experience the love of God.
When we discovered our shared love for Jesus, the outdoors, adventure, animals, kindness, authenticity, and each other, it was clear we wanted to do life together—so we got married in 2020!
Trigger aka “Triggles”
Forest aka “Boris”
Sage aka “Sage-y-poo”
Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, and improve social interactions. Our dogs love children and were by our side and worked with us at the boarding school for at-risk youth where we met. We're excited to see them in action again at Cedar Refuge!
Over the years, we considered serving as directors for multiple Residential Therapy Programs across the country, however God closed those doors each time at the last minute. It was hard for our hearts and disappointing because we were excited and invested in each of those opportunities. We trusted Jesus knowing that His timing is perfect—that His plan for our unique skills and passions would not be wasted.
Over the years, we considered serving as directors for multiple Residential Therapy Programs across the country, however God closed those doors each time at the last minute. It was hard for our hearts and disappointing because we were excited and invested in each of those opportunities. We trusted Jesus knowing that His timing is perfect—that His plan for our unique skills and passions would not be wasted.
In 2022, shortly after Quinn was born, I learned about a heartbreaking case—a six-year-old girl… yes 6… who had been recovered from sex trafficking in the United States. She desperately needed a long-term, specialized safe place to heal, but there were no options available outside of the child welfare system, which has limited resources for cases like hers. We discovered a shocking reality: no long-term dedicated safe housing existed for children under 10 or teenage boys who have experienced the horrors of child sex trafficking. The lack of therapeutic treatment programs for these children weighed heavily on my heart.
For months, I prayed and searched for solutions. “What about a private network with vetted families?” “What about this approach?” “What about that one?” But every idea had holes, and eventually, life moved on—until the following year, when I heard about another case involving multiple children of various ages. Once again, there was no safe place for them.
This time, the burden did not lift. For months, I was regularly awakened in the middle of the night from dreams. In these dreams, I was taking in children and I saw a clear picture of a ranch where they would be safe from exploitation.
In 2022, shortly after Quinn was born, I learned about a heartbreaking case—a six-year-old girl… yes 6… who had been recovered from sex trafficking in the United States. She desperately needed a long-term, specialized safe place to heal, but there were no options available outside of the child welfare system, which has limited resources for cases like hers. We discovered a shocking reality: no long-term dedicated safe housing existed for children under 10 or teenage boys who have experienced the horrors of child sex trafficking. The lack of therapeutic treatment programs for these children weighed heavily on my heart.
For months, I prayed and searched for solutions. “What about a private network with vetted families?” “What about this approach?” “What about that one?” But every idea had holes, and eventually, life moved on—until the following year, when I heard about another case involving multiple children of various ages. Once again, there was no safe place for them.
This time, the burden did not lift. For months, I was regularly awakened in the middle of the night from dreams. In these dreams, I was taking in children and I saw a clear picture of a ranch where they would be safe from exploitation.
One day, while driving with Quinn, overwhelmed by the thought that innocent children like her were being exploited, I said out loud,
"Jesus, if You pay for it, I'll say yes to opening a home."
It was as if the Lord had been waiting for that surrender. From that moment, doors began opening—fast. Everything fell into place with ease. Conversations in the anti-trafficking community confirmed the desperate need for a long-term safe haven for this demographic of children. Steven earnestly gave his yes, excited to see his dream of directing a home for boys come to life in a way we never expected.
Since giving our yes, we have been committed to creating a residential treatment program of excellence! We will incorporate the voices of survivors and experts in the field and carefully consider every detail—from paint colors and curtains that foster healing to the best practices of trauma-informed therapy. We truly care and are creating a safe haven for restoration.
Together, with the Lord, we are building a refuge rooted in love, faith, and service. We trust that God will provide the resources needed to bring this vision to life. We are excited to welcome the children who will become part of our extended Cedar Refuge family—and even more excited to witness the healing and transformation that will take place in the lives of these precious children.
We are so glad you are here and we invite you to join us in this life-changing mission that will heal, shape, and restore the lives of children who have been recovered from sex trafficking. Together we can truly make a difference.
Sincerely,
