The Road Not Taken

A Student Explains The Program's Intent

(CBS)  Before her death, Vicki Robinson made plans to send her daughter to a year-long program for troubled teens called Steppin' Stone Farm. Valessa said she had no idea.

But just 10 days before Valessa was scheduled to start the Steppin' Stone program, Vicki Robinson was murdered. 48 Hours interviewed Sarah Ingrahm, a student at the program.

48 Hours:

You meet with new girls who come here to the farm. What would you have told Valessa?

Sarah:

I would have talked to her, you know, where she came from and stuff like that. I would have helped her in any way I could have, because I look at each one of them coming in.

48 Hours:

What would you have said to her?

Sarah:

Well, a year ago I missed my boyfriend when I came in. I was really upset with my mom. I didn't want to have a baby, but my actions sure didn't show it. But, you'll get over it, because you will.

But, I made that choice to forget about those things, to put it behind me to move on with my life. So, I would have just encouraged her to, to want to be different.

48 Hours:

What if Valessa had asked you, "What could this farm do for me?" What would you have told her?

Sarah:

Can change your life, can rebuild it; it can start you from scratch. But everyone, when they come in, they're starting over. Some people start over a couple times, that's OK. I just think the farm can, can grow you up in a lot of ways because we all come here thinking the world revolves around us....And they show you it doesn't.

48 Hours:

People use the phrase "tough love." Is there tough love here?

Sarah:

Yes.

48 Hours:

What's that mean to you?

Sarah:

They stand up for what's right, and they love you through their discipline, through everything. I can see it, maybe not everyone can, but I can see it through everything they do for us. Whether it's hard, whether it's tough or whether it makes you want to cry, scream, whatever, I know that behind it is love.

48 Hours:

Would you have told Valessa "I know you better then you think, because in many ways I was like you a year ago?"

Sarah:

Yes, I would have told her that I know exactly where she's coming from, 'cause I do. I know where she's sitting right now is where I was a year ago, and I wouldn't trade it for the world to go back there.

48 Hours:

And what hope would you have given her? What would you have said to Valessa that would have given her some hope when she arrived here?

Sarah:

Hmm, there's so much hope. My basis for hope is my Savior, that's the hope I have. That's what I deal with everyday, when something goes wrong I still have hope to move on, to pick up the pieces to move on. If she could put it behind her, she could see the hope. But if she wants it in front of her, in her way, she won't ever see it.

48 Hours:

Do you think even today, that Valessa can somehow redeem her life?

Sarah:

Yes, I think she can. I think there's still hope for her along with everyone else.

48 Hours:

Even if she spends the rest of her life in prison?

Sarah:

Even if, her life's not over.

I look back sometimes, you know, and think - that was me, I did that? But, I know how low I was, and I had nowhere else to go but up. For a lot of people that's what I think, Valessa, too. I mean there's nowhere else for her to go, but up.

I think, you know, there's always worse things. I definitely think that there's hope for her.

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