What Really Matters

It takes a village.

Bit by bit, Tony and Beth Feltman are building that village—one they hope will better the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for years to come.

The Feltmans’ vision is multi-fold and includes a ranch, a boutique soap business, a social group, an opportunity for people with disabilities to own their own businesses and more. In short, they want to provide space for people with disabilities to live, work and play.

“What really matters in life is your faith, family and friends,” Tony says.

The Ranch

In a little valley east of Monument sits a 40-acre property poised to make a big difference.

Called Story Ranch, this site has been the longtime dream of Tony and Beth, both of whom have siblings with special needs. Starting this summer, they plan to begin offering respite weekends for adults with disabilities to engage with animals, nature and each other.

They’ll work with horses, cook, garden, hike, craft and… rest. It will be a place where adults with disabilities can discover, develop and tell their stories.

For now, respite weekends will be private pay. They are starting slow with one weekend a month and will build from there, possibly also offering weekday respite in the future. The sprawling ranch can accommodate at least five guests. Phase two may offer an innovative permanent housing option for a handful of residents—stay tuned.

“It really is a passion,” Tony says.

The family also operates a social group for young adults and hopes to expand its reach in the near future.

RM Soap Market

Meanwhile, RM Soap Market is the engine powering the vision.

Opened as Rocky Mountain Soap Market in 2014, later sold to the Feltmans and rebranded RM Soap Market in 2024, the new name better represents what it stands for: Inspired by the Rocky Mountains; Shaped by what Really Matters. The business recently expanded and now has four locations in Colorado, Idaho and New Mexico.

A stroll through the retail shop on Tejon is a treat for the senses. Bubble bath, whipped soap, bath truffles, scrubs, lotions, powders, oils and more with scents like Mooseberry, Garden of the Gods and Black Forest. Feeling inspired? Saunter over to the body bar to create a one-of-a-kind product. Gather some friends, reserve the space and make an evening of it.

Don’t forget to check out the mens’ line and a new collection called RM Story that includes shampoos and conditioners. With roughly 700 products, it’s tough to choose. Fortunately, it’s also tough to go wrong.

High quality. Small batch. And handcrafted at a factory right in Monument. At the moment, the 7,000-square-foot factory employs about nine people, including two with special needs. As the business grows, it has room to double. The hope is to eventually operate in 14,000 square feet and employ more people with disabilities.

“It’s a labor of love,” Tony says. “If we sell soap, we make a huge impact in this community.”

Asked how the Pikes Peak region can help advance the Feltmans’ vision, Tony says donations are always welcome, but the long-term plan is to be self-funding. “Buy soap,” he says, laughing. RM will donate $1 from every sale to organizations supporting special needs, including its partner Story Ranch. The collaboration reflects their commitment to offering people with disabilities solutions that ensure ongoing care will last beyond the lifespan of their parents.

“We’ve built a pretty unique situation for people with disabilities,” Feltman says.

Shine On

And the latest… in March, RM Soap Market launched a new program that could enable special needs families to earn up to $19,000 annually without affecting Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Called “Shine On,” qualified families can create an affiliate page through the ‘MyRM’ Program. It’s a three-step process: 1. Set up a personalized soap sales page 2. Enroll in the commission program 3. Open an ABLE bank account for earnings, which can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses.

Live. Work. Play.

(And buy soap.)

“It’s a labor of love. If we sell soap, we make a huge impact in this community.”