Stacey Ryder, founder of Reins From Above, said visitors enjoy watching crews work on the barn, which will house 15 stalls, two washrooms, a tack room and office space. “The man who lives across the street comes out here every morning and just stares at it,” she said. “People want to know what is going on.”

Reins From Above uses horseback riding to help children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Ryder founded the center three years ago in the Cleveland community. Last year, she moved her 11 horses, three donkeys and dozens of students to 22 acres on N.C. 42. Bobby Lewis of Raleigh donated the land, and he has agreed to allow Reins to use another 30 acres for pastures and riding trails.

While the 6,300-square-foot barn is under construction, Ryder is using seven shelters to house her animals.

As for the barn itself, Vortex Construction, based in the Cleveland community, is heading up the project. Keener Lumber Co., Guy C. Lee Building Materials, PLT Concrete and L.D. Morgan Plumbing Company are providing materials and labor at reduced prices.

Crews began working on the barn three weeks ago, but it will take another month to finish.

“We are a commercial contractor and build restaurants and buildings,” said Brent Morris, co-owner of Vortex Construction. “It is not something we normally take care of, but we are doing it to help them out more than anything. They are a great organization.”

Seeing the barn take shape has been a dream come true for Ryder. “It’s very cool because it all started in my head, and then I saw it on paper,” she said. “When the barn started to go up, I thought it was a lot bigger in life than on paper.”

The students are also enjoying the new space. “They love it out here, especially now that the barn is going up,” Ryder said.

“They see it being worked on every day. They are asking, ‘Is it done yet?’

Although the barn is under way, Reins From Above still needs several items, including fans, lighting fixtures, stall mats, gravel for the parking lot, a washer and dryer, paint and cabinets for the tack room.

Ryder also needs donations of money to help repay the loan that Lewis, the land donor, took out on behalf of Reins From Above.

“I don’t want people to think that just because we are building the barn, we don’t need anything,” Ryder said. “It doesn’t stop here. There are still horses to be fed and vet bills to be paid.”

For additional information about Reins From Above, call 938-1556 or click here.