"We've called you all here today to discuss a very upsetting topic." Autumn called out to the students she taught.
    Lauren hopped up onto the fence and  frowned. Autumn's eyes were tired and dull, and tears stained her sun-kissed, freckled cheeks.
    "What's wrong?" Diane, one of the adult riders, inquired gently.
    "Well, I don't exactly know how to put this." She wiped her eyes. "Apparently, we're out of money in the system. The State Riders' Association has required that, to save the horses from starvation and lack of exercise, that we...we..." She coughed and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "We close down Pebble Brook for good."