Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Schaffner.
Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Story of Rayshell Ranch
Rayshell Ranch began as a family dream — one that grew from our love for the outdoors and our daughter’s lifelong passion for horses.
Ray and I raised our three children camping, riding four-wheelers, and spending every possible moment outside together. Our daughter, Alexandra, fell in love with horses before she could even walk. At seven, I gave her her first riding lesson, and from that day on, she was hooked. Summers were spent at horse camps, and as she grew older, she became a counselor and helped run the programs herself. Horses weren’t just a hobby for her — they became her heart and her purpose.
By the time Alexandra was sixteen, she had her own horse and spent every morning before school at the barn cleaning stalls, then went back again after school to ride. When our kids grew up and camping trips slowed down, we decided to find a piece of property that could give us that same sense of adventure and connection — right at home.
As a real estate broker, I found the perfect land in Loxahatchee. Back then, it was quiet, rural, and full of potential — the perfect spot for campfires and family time. We planned to park our RV there and maybe build a small barn for Alexandra’s horse. But Ray — the dreamer and craftsman he is — built something much more.
The “little barn” turned into a big, beautiful structure. He even hung a grand chandelier in the center, giving it a touch of elegance and magic. It wasn’t long before we both realized we’d built something special — and then wondered how we were going to pay for it!
Our boys made friends while exploring the woods on their four-wheelers, and those friends started bringing others back to the barn. Before long, people were asking if they could get married there. At first, I didn’t take it seriously — I knew nothing about weddings or venues. But when a friend, JJ, and his fiancée Christina, asked to host their wedding with us, Ray built thirteen beautiful ten-foot farmhouse tables just for them. Christina decorated the space herself, and their wedding turned out absolutely magical.
From that day on, the requests started pouring in. One wedding led to another, and slowly, the barn transformed. We added air conditioning, new floors, bathrooms, a bridal suite, and a groom’s room. We moved the horse stalls out and opened up the space to seat up to 180 guests comfortably. Every week brought new improvements, and before long, Rayshell Ranch had evolved into something extraordinary.
Today, we host around 80 events a year — weddings, baby showers, celebrations of life, birthdays, and more. But one of the things we’re most proud of is our involvement in nonprofit and community events. We love opening our doors to organizations that give back — from fundraisers and awareness galas to youth programs and local gatherings. Being able to share our space for good causes has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Alexandra now runs the equestrian side of Rayshell Ranch. She teaches lessons, works with homeschool groups, and runs summer camps for young riders. Her deep love for animals shines through everything she does. Today, our ranch is home to miniature donkeys, cows, goats, chickens, emus, and of course, plenty of dogs and cats — all cared for by Alexandra with endless love.
Ray continues to build and improve everything you see here — the barn, paddocks, bathrooms, and all the beautiful woodwork that makes our venue so special. I handle the events and work closely with couples and families to help them bring their visions to life.
Together, as a family, we built Rayshell Ranch from the ground up — with hard work, creativity, and heart. What started as a barn for one horse has grown into a place filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. It’s where dreams are celebrated, and community comes together — truly a blessing in every way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning and running Rayshell Ranch has come with its share of challenges. We live an hour away, and during the week we’re busy running our auto body shop and real estate company, which leaves weekends for all the ranch work and event prep. Managing both worlds is exhausting — early mornings, late nights, and constant travel back and forth.
On top of that, dealing with county permits, inspections, and endless regulations for every building has tested our patience more than once. We’ve also faced theft and vandalism, from stolen signs to damaged property. The hardest part, though, has been losing some of our animals over the years. Caring for horses, donkeys, cows, and other livestock takes constant work and attention, and when illness or loss happens, it hits hard.
Equipment breaks when you need it most, Is expensive! and there’s always something that needs fixing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rayshell Ranch, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rayshell Ranch is a family-owned wedding and event venue located in the heart of Loxahatchee, Florida. What began as a family dream has grown into a one-of-a-kind destination where rustic charm meets elegant design. We specialize in hosting weddings, celebrations of life, baby showers, birthdays, and community events — each one customized with our own in-house decor for our room we call Hobby Lobby.
Our venue is known for its beautifully handcrafted barn, built by hand with love and care by our family. The space features stunning woodwork, a grand chandelier, twinkling lights, and warm, natural tones that create a truly magical atmosphere. What sets us apart is that every part of Rayshell Ranch has been built, designed, and maintained by our family — not a corporate team. When couples or guests walk through our doors, they’re welcomed into a space created with heart, hard work, and history.
We also take great pride in our connection to the land and our animals. The ranch is home to horses, donkeys, cows, goats, and other friendly farm animals, cared for by our daughter Alexandra, who runs the equestrian side of the property. Her riding school offers lessons, homeschool programs, and summer camps, giving children and families a chance to experience the joy of horses.
Beyond weddings and private events, Rayshell Ranch also opens its doors to nonprofit and community organizations. We host fundraisers, youth programs, and charity events throughout the year — giving back to the same community that has supported us from the beginning.
What we’re most proud of is that everything at Rayshell Ranch reflects who we are — a family that believes in hard work, hospitality, and creating unforgettable experiences. We’re not just a venue; we’re a place where stories begin, families gather, and memories are made.
How do you think about happiness?
What truly makes me happy is seeing people light up when they walk into the barn for the first time. I love watching couples fall in love with the space, hearing guests say, “Pictures don’t do it justice,” and knowing that we’ve created something that touches people. Those moments remind me why all the hard work is worth it.
I’m also happiest when I’m surrounded by family, our animals, and the beauty of the ranch itself the sound of the donkeys, the horses grazing, or a sunset after a long day. There’s something peaceful about knowing we built this life from the ground up.
More than anything, I find joy in sharing Rayshell Ranch with others and helping people celebrate love, life, and community. Every event here becomes part of someone’s story, and that’s the greatest happiness I could ask for.
Pricing:
- We purposely keep our prices lower than all of our competitors
- We will create packages for our couples
- We have pricing for different events
- We’re not just in it for the money we’re in for the love
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RayshellRanch.com
- Instagram: Rayshell_Ranch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WaXsvDYdw/
- Other: Tiktok: rayshellranchfl
