And the financial cost of providing drought support had reduced the year's profits more than she'd originally expected.
But the business remained viable.
The bank payments were current.
The workers were paid.
And the reserve had served the purpose for which it was created.
One December evening, Cecilia Grant visited the ranch.
She sat opposite Marlene at the kitchen table with the latest financial statements.
After reviewing the figures, she smiled.
"You've had quite a year."
Marlene laughed.
"That's one way to describe it."
Cecilia turned another page.
"The business is stable."
Marlene exhaled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The manager looked toward the green notebook.
Then smiled.
"Your father would be pleased."
Marlene's eyes filled.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she nodded.
"I think so."
Cecilia closed the folder.
Then said something Marlene would remember.
"Six years ago, you came into my office asking for time to prove something."
Marlene smiled faintly.
"I remember."
Cecilia looked toward the window.
"You've certainly made good use of it."
In the spring of 2010, Wade Haskins planted his first small trial plot of nopal.
Not four hundred sixty acres.
Not even forty.
Just a modest section of land chosen after reviewing his property's conditions with qualified advisers.
Marlene visited on the first planting day.
Wade stood beside a wooden crate of healthy cactus pads, looking uncomfortable.
She smiled.
"Need help?"
He laughed.
"More than I'd like to admit."
Marlene approached.
For a moment, she looked toward the crate.
It reminded her of the one he'd kicked six years earlier.
Wade noticed her expression.
Then lowered his eyes.
"I've thought about that day a lot."
Marlene nodded.
"So have I."
He looked toward the cactus.
For several seconds, he was quiet.
Then he said, "I can't undo it."
She shook her head.
"No."
He swallowed.
"But I can do better."
Marlene looked toward him.
Then smiled.
"That's a start."
Wade nodded.
He picked up a planting pad.
Then looked toward the prepared ground.
For the first time in his life, he was planting something he'd once considered worthless.
Marlene watched him.
Then she began explaining what she'd learned from her own failures.
She didn't make him feel foolish.
She didn't pretend he'd understand everything in a day.
She simply helped him begin.
Years passed.
Not every cooperative project succeeded.
Some planting trials failed.
Others proved unsuitable for particular soils or exposed locations.
Some ranchers discovered that better grazing management and smaller herds were more useful than adding cactus to their operations.
The cooperative adjusted.
It used evidence rather than pride to guide decisions.