A Veteran's Journey to Healing, Candle-Making, and Life With Goats in Rural Texas
On a peaceful 10-acre patch of land near Ladonia, Texas, a quiet kind of transformation is taking place. Goats graze beside soybeans. Ducks quack lazily from the shade. Inside, the scent of lavender and cedarwood fills the air as guests craft hand-poured candles with their own two hands. This is more than just a rural escape—it’s the life’s work of Cynthia, a Marine Corps veteran, daughter of immigrants, and the heart behind one of Delve’s most unique small farm experiences.
💪 Meet Cynthia: Veteran, First-Generation Ranch Owner, Candle Maker
Cynthia—known as “Mija” to her mom, Maye—is the first in her family born in the United States. Her mother immigrated from Durango, Mexico as one of 18 siblings, working over 30 years in the housekeeping industry to support her family and pursue the American dream.
Cynthia enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, served with honor, and later became the first in her family to earn both a bachelor’s degree from Hawaii Pacific University and a master’s in neuroscience from Parker University.
Outside the ranch, Cynthia is also a neurodiagnostic technician, bringing scientific precision and care to her work—whether she’s supporting patients or teaching guests how to pour the perfect soy candle.
But like many families, Cynthia and Maye faced hardship in 2020—losing jobs and confronting health challenges. That year brought them back to each other and to the land. Candle-making started as a coping mechanism and grew into something more: a creative outlet, a shared mission, and eventually, a business.
In 2023, Cynthia purchased her own ranch in Ladonia. It now serves as the home base for her candle-making workshops and is shared with goats, ducks, chickens, a donkey, and dogs.
🕯️ A Two-Hour Escape With Meaning
This hands-on farm experience includes:
- Choosing from over 50 unique candle scents
- Learning the basics of soy wax candle-making—melting, measuring, pouring, curing
- A walk out to the pasture to feed and learn about Boer goats (a meat goat breed)
- And your own candle to take home as a reminder of the day
While the farm does grow soybeans on-site, Cynthia uses commercial soy wax in her workshops (processing soy wax from raw beans requires equipment she doesn’t yet have). Guests can still view the soybean fields when in season.
This experience runs about 2 hours, is best for adults (18+), and is available in both English and Spanish. Children are welcome to attend with adult supervision, but only adults may handle hot wax. A signed waiver is required for participating minors.
🪑 Facilities include PortaJohns, and the setting is rustic—not accessible for wheelchairs due to terrain. Expect a real working farm, including a 2.5-mile stretch of unpaved road to get there.
- “This is a real farm. You’re going to see mud, fur, and sometimes chaos. But you’ll also see heart.”
👉 Book your experience through Delve »
🌾 A Story Worth Supporting
This experience isn’t just about making a candle. It’s about supporting a woman who’s built something from the ground up—rooted in heritage, family, science, and healing. Cynthia’s story represents the kind of connection Delve works to share: one candle, one goat, one guest at a time.
Optional upgrades are available at checkout:
- Clay jar upgrade: +$20
- Signature candle – a soothing blend of sandalwood, amber, and vanilla: $15 (with 50% of proceeds supporting goat feed and care)
Whether you're a crafter, weekend adventurer, or someone looking for a unique gift experience, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to connect deeply—with your hands, your senses, and a story that’s bigger than yourself.
🎟️ Book Your Visit Today
Experience candle-making with a purpose. Meet the goats. Support a veteran- and woman-owned farm. And leave with something handmade and heartfelt.
