Support from TSD Logistics Empowered Former Watersprings Ranch Resident Sean Foreback to Earn Degree at TAMU-T
By Ellen Orr

As the proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child. Sean Foreback, a recent graduate of Texas A&M–Texarkana, is especially aware of this. His village includes blood relations, chosen family, nonprofit workers, corporate executives, and teachers, all of whom played important roles in his development.

Sean was born in Hope, Arkansas, but for most of his life, he lived at Watersprings Ranch. The stated mission of Watersprings Ranch is to provide homes for children “who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned”—but when Sean moved onto the property at age 5, he was none of those things.

“My birth mother had a lot of severe health issues,” Sean said. “The goal [for most children who live at Watersprings Ranch] is actually to reunite the kids back with their families, but in my particular case, we knew we wouldn’t be able to go back with her.”

Sean’s birth mother, Crystal, took him and his older brother to Watersprings Ranch on the recommendation of her caregiver. The boys remained in contact with her until she died in 2021.

Sean with Carla and David Whatley, who operate Watersprings Ranch. submitted photo

“I knew she loved me,” Sean said. “We spoke with her real often. It hurt her to [relinquish custody], but I’m appreciative of her for doing it. It was definitely the best thing she could’ve done.”

Watersprings Ranch provides an alternative to conventional foster care. Each of the campus’ six residences can house up to eight children, who live with house parents, otherwise known as “house ministers,” who must be Christian and married. The goal is to provide stability and comfort; the homes are designed to operate as “individual family units.”

“They really try to make it as normal of a household as possible,” Sean said. “Obviously, most homes don’t have that many kids in the house, but it still feels as close as you can get to it.”

Sean at christmas at watersprings ranch. Submitted photo

Though stability is the goal, inconsistency is somewhat inherent to the system: children come and go, as do house parents.

“I went through probably 20 sets [of house parents],” Sean said. “It was kind of sad to see people you get close with leave. But as time went on, I understood that that’s just how it was. You know, people had lives to live, so they gave the time that they could out there, and I was understanding of that. Eventually, I kind of just got used to change.”

Though his own house parents changed frequently for many years, one set of Watersprings house parents remained steady: Larry and Lee Foreback “have been out there for, like, 19 years—as long as I’ve been out there,” Sean said. “[Lee] always said her dream was to have a house full of kids.”

When he was 16, Sean and his brother were adopted by the Forebacks.

“It just always felt that way,” Sean said, referring to how he felt like Larry and Lee’s child even before the adoption. “They kind of already treated us like we were already theirs. And one day, we mentioned [adoption] in the car, sort of jokingly, and then [Lee] started crying. She was like, ‘I always wanted nothing more.’”

The Forebacks weren’t the only people who watched Sean grow up. Bruce Whitehead, chairman of TSD Logistics, also had a front-row seat for his development.

“The Ranch has a lot of people that support them, and TSD is one of them,” Sean said. “We do an event with them every year. So I’ve known them for many years.”

As a teenager, Sean wasn’t sure what path he wanted to take after high school, but he listened to the guidance of the adults around him.

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to college or not, but what really motivated me was the other people who were wanting it for me,” he said. “TSD Logistics and Mr. Bruce—they had a scholarship deal that they were doing and somehow decided I was worthy of the nod. I couldn’t believe it, and I was like, ‘Well, I’d be foolish not to accept it and go to school.’”

Sean with Gina Leeper, executive director of Open Roads and Sean’s “number-one help and support system.” submitted photo

Last month, Sean graduated from Texas A&M–Texarkana with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Throughout his time in college, he lived at the Ranch in their “transitional living” home. Recently, he moved into a place of his own. He has been employed at Red River Army Depot for about a year, working night shifts as a mechanic. He is planning to pursue a second degree—either a second bachelor’s, this one in computer science, or an MBA. He said that he believes that either of these degrees will lead to better career opportunities.

Wherever else Sean’s path takes him, he will carry with him the wisdom and confidence instilled in him by his parents, benefactors, teachers, and mentors. In particular, he cited Gina Leeper, the executive director of Open Roads (TSD’s sister company), as a primary influence.

“She was definitely the number-one help and support system as far as me finishing college,” he said. “One semester I went into [the office], and I didn’t say a word. Before I went in, I was thinking to myself, ‘I’m about to disappoint them and let them down.’ I was going to be like, ‘I’m sorry. I can’t do it. No more. This is too stressful.’ Anyway, so I walk in the door, I didn’t say anything to her, and as soon as she opens the door, she’s like, ‘Sean, just stick through. Stick with it. You’re going to be happy you did it.’ She’s been a shoulder to lean on, and she’s been there for me, mentally, financially, all types. She kept me going.”

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