It was 1988, and 5-year-old Brodie Croyle hugged his father’s leg. The man approached John and Brodie Croyle, stamped out his cigarette and said, “Are you the people in charge? My girlfriend, here, says it’s either me or my three boys, so I’m giving you the boys.”

The youngest of the boys- just 6 years old- fell to the ground and wept. “Don’t leave me papa,” the boy cried out as the car grew smaller in the distance. John Croyle, the founder of the Big Oak Ranch, stooped down to hug the child. “I will always love you, never lie to you, and I’ll stick with you forever,” said John. The little boy got back up as his tears slowed.