MANCHESTER, Md. (WBFF) — A beloved covered bridge at River Valley Ranch, a Christian camp on the edge of Carroll County, is nearing the end of its life after more than 30 years as a community landmark.
“It really is an iconic part of the community,” Jon Bisset, River Valley Ranch’s executive director, said.
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Camp leaders said the bridge, which sits over a small stream, has been deteriorating for years.
“We started noticing over the last five years that the bridge was really degrading,” Mike Czaja, the camp’s director of site development, said.
Bisset said the damage has reached a critical point: “We probably only have a year or two before it actually just falls into the river.”
River Valley Ranch plans to demolish and rebuild the covered bridge, and leaders say they want the replacement to honor what the original has meant to the camp and the broader community.
“We really want to continue that legacy when we build the next one. And not just make it a bridge itself, but kind of a beautiful part of our community and something people can enjoy as they drive by and see it,” Bisset said.
For Czaja, the bridge is personal.
“My son actually has his wedding picture right here in the bridge. So there’s just so many memories associated with it,” he said.
Czaja added, “My uncle actually built this, this bridge and so it’s kind of sad to see it go, so that’s a way to like keep it alive for future generations as well.”
To commemorate the aging bridge and help raise money for its replacement, the camp partnered with photographer and digital artist Miles Taylor, who has long ties to River Valley Ranch.
“It feels very special,” Taylor said.
He said the camp played a major role in his life: “It’s really where I found my faith in God.”
Taylor created a piece of artwork in 22 hours that reflects the bridge’s fading beauty.
Czaja joked, “Oh, I thought he made it too nice because there’s no reason to tear it down now.”
Bisset said he was moved by the work.
“I was stunned. I mean, Miles continues to amaze me with the things he does,” he said. “It’s inspiring to me, it’s inspiring to so many others and we hope that it, it isn’t just about the bridge, it’s about inspiring people to see that you can do more than you think you can.”
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Taylor, who has cerebral palsy, said he hopes his work encourages others.
“I want to be able to use my gift as an artist to be able to share and show others,” he said.
Czaja said Taylor’s impact goes beyond his art.
“He has challenges, but he doesn’t let those stand in his way,” he said. “I would say the biggest thing that stands out with Miles to me, though, is that he sees people well, like he sees people and he reaches out to them…If you first meet Miles, you’ll feel like you’ve know him for 20 years. He’s just a wonderful young man.”
Bisset said he hopes Taylor’s story and the bridge project inspire others to use their gifts to serve the community.
“I just want people to see that and to realize that again, you can do more than you think you can, that the things that we think are limitations are really not limitations,” he said. “And with God’s help and with some inspiration, we should lean into those things and use our gifts for the good and for the betterment of our community, for the glory of God, and to really make a difference in the lives of others.”
Taylor said his message is rooted in service.
“What I want people to take away from the work is being able to serve others,” he said.
You can make a donation to rebuild the River Valley Ranch bridge by clicking here.
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