Sometime after I became Executive Director of Sky Ranch, I was introduced to Darryl Lafitte, the President of North Dallas Bank and Trust, where Sky Ranch did its banking. Darryl was a Christian who appreciated what Sky Ranch was seeking to do, and he also knew the financial situation Sky Ranch was in. After a year, we had developed a comfortable relationship, so when his secretary called and said that Mr. Lafitte would like me to come to his office, I was not surprised.

When I arrived, he said there was a business man with an office in the bank tower who would like to meet me. So, up the elevator I went to meet Ted Clifford. His secretary said Mr. Clifford was expecting me, and to go on into his office. He introduced himself, and asked me to have a seat.

Ted asked me to tell him about Sky Ranch. As I talked about the purpose and program of Sky Ranch, he asked a few questions. I then asked him what he did, and he told me he was the President of Majestic Oil and Gas Company. In the conversation that followed he told me about the cobbler’s last (the form around which a cobbler built a shoe) that was in his bedroom, next to his closet door. He said that every time he went into his closet, he was reminded of the words: “cobbler, stick to thy last”. Ted knew one business, and apparently knew it well.

As I was leaving, Ted asked me to keep in touch, which I did. In the early months of that third year, when all bills were being paid, but salaries were again close to being unpaid, Sky Ranch received a check for $10,000 from Majestic Oil and Gas Company.

With the receipt in hand I went to thank Ted for the contribution. He welcomed me to his office and when I had thanked him, he said:

“I try to always keep in mind the answer the train porter gave to the question ‘and what do you do?’ The porter responded ‘I takes care of whatever the Boss gives me, till we gets to the end of the line.’”

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” — I Corinthians 4:2

This was the last large contribution for operations Sky Ranch received or needed, to the best of my knowledge.