Montana and Middleburg: A Perfect Fit

Montana and Middleburg: A Perfect Fit

Montana Lanier Ruffner

Montana Lanier Ruffner has the best answer of all when asked what brought her to the Middleburg area. “I never left lol,” the 29-year-old noted. And how long has she lived here? “Twenty-nine years.” Montana went to Hill School from kindergarten through the eighth grade, then on to high school at Foxcroft, with four more years at Radford University. She majored in recreation parks and tourism with a concentration in special events and a minor in business marketing.

It was the perfect preparation for her current career, as the director at Buchanan Hall in Upperville and managing owner of Big Sky Management & Events, LLC.

Montana likes the mix of working with clients and guests, the actionpacked events days, which peak May 18 - Oct. 26 every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Buchanan Hall for the weekly and increasingly popular farmer’s market. She also does work on fundraising and membership. And in her spare time (hah!), Montana has a horse to pleasure ride in Clarke County.

Friends and family make Wednesdays at the Buchanan Hall Farmer’s Market an outing with music, food, drinks and must-buy fresh flowers and produce.

Photo courtesy of Buchanan Hall and Big Sky Events.

“All of this combines to allow me an exciting career where I’m surrounded by people celebrating and supporting others,” she said. “From shopping local at the Buchanan Hall Holiday Bazaar, to supporting local agriculture at the farmers market.”

As for the future of this area, Montana noted her concern about overdevelopment.

“This area is such an enclave where community is at the forefront. It’s imperative that we monitor growth…This happens through work and volunteerism. My goals are to sustain a piece of my hometown to allow for the next generation.”

Montana also participates with The Hill School Alumni Association as a board member.

“The world relies on the next generation, the future,” she said. “To create a bright future for the Piedmont we need to invest in the future leaders.”

At the Land Trust of Virginia Garden Party, Montana was a committee member and volunteer.

Mark your calendars for Buchanan Hall Farmer’s Market starting this May.

Photo courtesy of Buchanan Hall and Big Sky Events.

Photo courtesy of Buchanan Hall and Big Sky Events.

The Piedmont Pride Drag Brunch at Buchanan Hall celebrated a vibrant local community.

“If you love this area, you owe a major thank you to conservation efforts from organizations like LTV. They are protecting the rural vistas of which prevent uncontrolled growth and protect the lands for equestrian activities, habitats for native flora and fauna, and so much more.”

Additional work for Montana is “Piedmont Pride,” which she started last year with the support of Virginia Tourism Corporation/Visit Virginia/ Visit Gay VA. She presented one of the first LGBTQ+ friendly groups and held a smashing event.

It was called the “Piedmont Pride Drag Brunch” and held at Buchanan Hall and offering attendees “a moment in time to feel celebrated, safe, and loved.”

It goes along with one of her favorite quotations from the late Richard “Dick” Peard, a rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. “When you find your place in the world,” he said, “remember to help others find theirs.”

Who in the area do you admire and why?

“Tom Northrup, headmaster emeritus, for creating an environment of faculty and staff at Hill School that truly gave me a safe refuge to find solace and growth. I am eternally grateful for the lessons that I learned there. Mr. Jack Bowers’ daily chicken soup for the soul readings stick with me to this day. It makes me so happy knowing that there is another generation that also gets to experience a truly magical place and go forth into the world to be the future.”