We are so glad to have been able to sit down with our Venue Manager, Randy Boyd- Martinez, a.k.a. Randy the Ranch Hand and ask him a few questions about Ribera, New Mexico, and his favorite aspects of working at Blame Her Ranch.

Randy Boyd Martinez, BHR Venue Manager

I remember you telling me that you grew up in Ribera?
Tell me a little bit about that childhood, has the area changed much?
How long have you been working at the Blame Her Ranch?

Randy: I was actually born in Santa Fe but moved to Ribera when I was 5. My family found a piece of land in paradise. When you think of New Mexico, the first thing that comes to mind is the desert. However, Ribera is adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest and the Pecos River runs through the valley. It’s a very beautiful and lush area, so it’s easy to see why my parents purchased the property the day after they toured.

My mom had worked in the food business her whole life and always had dreams of owning her own restaurant. When we moved out here, there was a place called The Sad Cafe which was for sale. Mom took a chance and purchased the building and reopened the restaurant in 2005. She flipped the frown upside and renamed it La Risa Cafe (The Laughter). It was the beloved restaurant of the valley that had endearing local fans, but by word of mouth, a majority came driving from Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque for the delicious Northern New Mexican cuisine and world-class fresh-baked desserts.

I worked the front end for many years and got to meet everyone that passed through our doors. In the later years, some of our favorite guests were Steve and Linda Blamer that lived just up the way. One day they came in with a flyer to put on our bulletin board. They were looking for some help in the housekeeping department. We had such a great relationship that I had to at least entertain the idea of a job so close to home while still being able to manage the backend of the restaurant.

I had an interview later that week and fell in love with the ranch. Needless to say, I got the job. After 6 years on the job, and how close the Blamer’s and I became, they promoted me to Ranch Manager as we started our endeavor in the home rental business for weddings and retreats. It’s now been 8 and a half years since Linda walked in the doors of the cafe with the flyer and welcomed me into their home. We have a very close relationship and I feel very much a part of their family.

What are some of your favorite aspects of the job?

Randy: The best part is getting to party nearly every weekend with a great bunch of people. Weddings are a happy business, so I’m not dealing with disgruntled people in the customer service center. I get to meet a ton of awesome people and help our couples celebrate one of the most special days of their lives. And when it isn’t a wedding, it’s usually a family reunion or vacation, which are both still happy occasions.

It’s also an amazing setting to be able to work in. Come on, we’re on top of a mountain with 75+ mile views! I consider myself very fortunate to have such a unique and rewarding job on the best ranch in New Mexico.

What are you passionate about?

Randy: Honestly, I’m passionate about the job. As you can imagine, running a prestigious venue such as BHR can be demanding, but it’s so worth it to see the fruits of my efforts. Being able to see everyone have such a good time or witness the ceremony is such a great feeling. One of my side hustles is a rental business exclusive to guests of BHR. My newest addition to the lineup of AV and dance floor is a Magic Mirror Photobooth. I have a trunk full of props and I’m in the middle of the events with a six-foot-tall mirror helping our guests take selfies and printing pictures on the spot. It’s great fun and I get to contribute that much more to the special occasion.

Any advice on what to pack for a weekend or a wedding at Blame Her Ranch?

Randy: Sunscreen! There’s so much to do on the ranch (skeet shooting, horseback riding, pool time, etc.) and it’s easy to get caught up having fun in the sun. I’ve seen a few burn lines that aren’t the most flattering walking down the aisle. Bring some sunscreen if you plan on being outside in the days leading up to the wedding or just in general so you can keep having fun outside and not feel like one of the hot stones in the sauna!

* Randy is an independent contractor, his job at BHR is not the traditional 9-5, allowing Randy to pursue his many other entrepreneurial interests.