Tea's VISION

In the early part of 2005, Tea and his boss, Hess at Mustang Rental Services in Southwest Houston were talking about the good old days, and about how sad it was that 101 had gone off the air. And, whatever happened to the ranch they used to hear about, and all the volunteer effort that had gone into that? They hadn’t heard much about it lately.

Curious, Hess called the ranch to find out what was going on, and found that while the ranch was still there, there hadn’t been much volunteer activity since the publicity had stopped.

They met with Terry Blair, who directs work with the boys, and Rob Theron, who takes care of the animals, and found that the ranch is still in business, and doing some wonderful work with the boys and animals there.

But there was a lot that needed to be done to maintain the ranch itself.

There were low spots that flooded when it rained, and places where too many trees were crowding each other out. A second house had been started, and the pieces of steel structure were piled on the ground, rusting. Brush needed clearing, and fallen trees needed to be taken away.

Tea walked the ranch, and started formulating his plan. He called his friends, and started putting his plan into action.

Mustang was able to loan some equipment for some work weekends, and a lot of the guys who work at Mustang donated their time. Other friends helped. Rob, who lives at the ranch, and his friend John stayed involved.

At the back of the property, a hole was dug for a lake. The dirt from the lake was used to fill in low spots in the barns and areas of the ranch where the animals graze. It was also used to add contouring to the front of the property.

The main reason for the lake, though, from Tea’s point of view, is for children. He wants to see fishing, a place for day camps, boy scouts and girl scouts to come. He wants to create a place of beauty. A place that can be utilized for recreation or for food. Most of all, a place to instill values.

For the boys who live on the ranch, Tea would like to see them learn to manage the lake, learn to maintain the fish population as well as feed themselves from something they do. He wants to help the boys learn how to make things, like a fish population, grow.

"There’s more to life than pop culture," Tea says. "I’d like to share some good wholesome living, the way I was brought up."

Tea is someone who likes to have fun, but is also capable of great stillness. His humor is gentle, sometimes poking fun at friends, and sometimes self-deprecating. He can look very stern at times. He believes in being nice, and standing up for one’s friends. His full name is Teauphus Peugh, III. Teauphus means "God’s Light."

Tea grew up on 18 acres near Simms Bayou and Airport. There was a fresh water pond, cattle & horses. "A little piece of heaven," he says, "in the middle of hell." The property is up for sale now, and even if he is ready to move on, he says it breaks his heart to see it divided and sold.

Tea said his father told him, "if you’re blessed with one friend, you’re better than the average person." After a moment, Tea said, "I’ve been blessed with over three dozen friends."

Tea sees the ranch as a way to instill values, and teach young ones what it’s all about. "It’s all about taking care of one another, as human beings. Lending a helping hand. That’s why I’m at the ranch."

Tea feels he has been looking for a project like this for a long time.

"Right now, we’re just focused on this picnic instead of the ranch itself, but that’s okay… we’re all just there to help our fellow man."

-July 28, 2005