Our Mission
Ruby's Home for Good improves the quality of life for horses in need and promotes mutually beneficial relationships between people and horses.
Meet Ruby
The heart of our organization.
Ruby, a mustang mare, is the namesake of Ruby's Home for Good.
Ruby's family once ran wild and free in the American west. Like so many other wild horses, they were rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Ruby was born at a BLM facility and adopted, but years later was facing an uncertain future, even at risk of slaughter. When we adopted her, we promised Ruby a safe and permanent home, where her needs would be met and she would not be compromised for anyone else's benefit.
Ruby has won the hearts of our veterans and is the herd favorite amongst our youth participants. Having been let down time and time again, Ruby learned that she could trust people; in turn, she now shows our visitors how to build a relationship based on trust, communication, and understanding.
Meet Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Program Director
Erin Malia
Erin is a lifelong animal lover and horse enthusiast. With a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Georgia, she combined her passion for horses with helping people by becoming a certified therapeutic riding instructor, an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and a Mentor for other professionals. Erin co-founded Ruby's Home for Good in 2017 in the interest of centering equine welfare and growing awareness of not only the possibility but also the power of equestrian activities that benefit both the horse and the human.
President, Board of Directors
Adam Litun
Adam has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry as a drilling and completions engineer in both domestic and international roles. He has an interest in helping animals in need and enjoys time with his family’s several former rescue pets.
Board of Directors
Butch Malia
Richard (Butch) Malia is a retired corporate tax executive and lifelong supporter of young people and lover of animals. Butch and his wife, Terry, are the proud parents of 4 daughters, including Erin, and grandparents 5 times over! In retirement, he spent years tutoring underprivileged youth while providing a home for 2 lab rescues and now a Great Dane mix puppy. Through Erin's work, he has developed a fondness for horses and views Ruby's as a great way to continue to improve the lives of people and horses through the programs and initiatives that Ruby's offers.
Secretary, Board of Directors
Alyssa Biestek
Alyssa Biestek, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Texas and Florida. She completed her graduate school internship doing equine assisted therapy and has had a passion for horses since she was a child. Alyssa currently works at Thrive Therapy Mental Health and Wellness, a private practice located in The Woodlands. She is excited to be on the board for Ruby’s Home for Good to continue sharing her knowledge about mental health and how horses can facilitate healing within humans. She enjoys spending time outside, reading, and with her two dogs, Ranger and Luke.
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Judy Hall Bragman
A native Texan, Judy grew up in College Station and currently resides in beautiful Magnolia, TX. She began riding horses when she was 2 years old. It was love at first sight! When Judy first heard about “horse therapy”, she knew she wanted to be a part of helping others find the magic that comes from simply being in their presence. She is trained in the EAGALA model and both volunteered and worked at a therapeutic riding ranch. Watching the children light up when they got on a horse was so rewarding.
She is a retired CPA, having worked in both for-profit and non-profit organizations as well as the corporate world and private club industry. She tutors accounting at Lonestar College and enjoys helping the students achieve their goals and grow in confidence as they decide what direction their careers should take.
Serving on the Board for Ruby’s is the perfect culmination of her experiences in the horse and business worlds. She looks forward to Ruby's reaching even more people with the power of horse magic.
Vice President, Board of Directors
Kristi Wells
Kristi's love for horses began as a child, but since her parents wouldn't get her a pony for her 10th birthday, she spent her teacher retirement on two gaited horses in her early 20s. Since then, she has been active in the horse show circuit and has taught horsemanship, groundwork, and riding to many children and adults for more than 20 years. When she's not in a barn, Kristi enjoys her career in new home sales and is active in her faith community, in addition to working with loved ones of alcoholics in recovery. She's amused by her 4 dogs, 3 cats and an African grey parrot; she also enjoys bowling and pickleball. She is married to Doug, a Navy veteran and owner of Wow 1 Day Painting. The Wells family resides in Magnolia.
Veteran Ambassador
Carlos Sheran
Carlos is a 10- year US Marine Corps veteran who continues his commitment to service by helping others. Carlos has completed our Foundation Horsemanship Course and is now sharing our mission in the veterans' community. He believes other veterans will benefit from our unique approach to bringing horses and people together.