Being the oldest of ten children is hard. I have a lot of responsibility from my parents, but especially from my siblings. Eldest child syndrome hit me hard in high school when all I wanted to do was be my best.

I was a near-perfect student, an all-star football player, and homecoming king. But then it all came crashing down around me two weeks before graduation. It’s how I got my infamous nickname…

Big Red.

After a decade or so of fighting the reputation, I just decided if I couldn’t beat the name, then I’d earn it. Now, when I hear it, I...

Being the oldest of ten children is hard. I have a lot of responsibility from my parents, but especially from my siblings. Eldest child syndrome hit me hard in high school when all I wanted to do was be my best.

I was a near-perfect student, an all-star football player, and homecoming king. But then it all came crashing down around me two weeks before graduation. It’s how I got my infamous nickname…

Big Red.

After a decade or so of fighting the reputation, I just decided if I couldn’t beat the name, then I’d earn it. Now, when I hear it, I answer proudly, and after living with the shame for almost twenty years, it’s just who I am.

So when Dad retires and names me the new ranch manager, I know that life can only go up from here. I’m going to bring the business into the current century, and with the help of my siblings, we’re going to make Justice Ranch the most popular tourist destination in Texas.

That is, if we can keep it in the family.