By uneebkhan April 5, 2026 - 10:41am

For many people who have lived through trying times, leaning on faith and forgiveness can give a measure of clarity not often found through other means. After years of personal reinvention and reflection, philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith has designed a purpose-driven life centered on service to others, a deep and abiding faith, and a mission to spread a message of peace.

Faith as a foundation and providing a sanctuary

Smith has held fast to her faith for decades, allowing it to inform decisions and to serve as an organizing principle of her days, guiding how she moves to help others and to heal her own soul when necessary. From her estate set amid the rolling hills of California’s wine country, Smith helps others find serenity through this quiet retreat, where visitors can ride horses over the hills, among free-roaming Arabians, rest, and take in the beauty of their surroundings.

“It’s a place to quiet one’s mind, and it’s a great place to listen for God’s direction,” says Smith.

By blending spiritual care with hospitality, Smith is allowing people who may be dealing with grief, confusion, burnout, or a life transition to experience calm and clarity in a setting built for intentional living.

An equestrian lesson in empathy and forgiveness

The highlight of Smith’s estate is her collection of prized Arabian horses. Chief among them is Amir Fadjur Salaam, a purebred Arabian stallion who is the direct descendant of The Fabulous Fadjur, one of the most celebrated Arabian horses in recent history.

“Amir has a one-of-a-kind legacy and lineage,” Smith explains. “His bloodline carries a special sort of human-like understanding and empathy that was bred into them over thousands of years.”

Smith allows visitors to her estate to interact with Amir and her other Arabian horses, letting them experience the breed's freedom and grace. “They really are a living metaphor for peace and spiritual freedom,” says Smith. “They remind people that they, too, can shed old restraints and be free.”

Connection with her horses, but especially Amir, has also allowed Smith to plug into the power of forgiveness. “All of us have a story of loss or pain,” Smith says. “By giving people a safe space to lay down their burdens and revel in the empathetic connection to these creatures, I am witnessing the power of forgiveness — forgiving others and forgiving ourselves.”

Living with intention and passion

Smith’s life path wasn’t always so clear. She worked in media and entertainment, a difficult space for even the most self-assured people. Upon the death of her husband, musician and mogul Chester Smith, she used her grief journey as a catalyst to begin living with more intention.

In a world that is often drawn to synthetic performance, Smith sought authenticity, inspired by Amir and his lack of fake affect. And in a time defined by deep divisions, Smith believes that through the example of horses like Amir, people can learn to choose awareness and authenticity.

“Arabians only respond to what is real, and I think we can all learn from their approach to human interaction,” she explains.

Transformative forward motion

Smith has allowed her connection with Amir to guide her on her next steps. She believes that his shining example of empathy and peace can help build bridges not just for people who visit her estate, but on a global scale.

“The breed has historically represented goodwill and peace in the Arab world,” Smith says. “I would love to see the ancient truth revived for the modern era.”

Smith even believes that the example of Arabian horses can be used as a workbench for modern technologies. As developers of artificial intelligence (AI) seek ways to make AI more human-like, instilling intuition and empathy, Smith points to the personality of the Arabian horse breed, with the empathy and intuition that was bred into it by Bedouin tribes 4,500 years ago.

“Over centuries of breeding, these horses learned how to be empathetic and in tune with human emotion,” says Smith. “I believe that can be used as an example to make technology that is more aligned with how we feel, not just what we need from a task perspective.”

Through her horses and opening her heart and her home, Smith has found forward momentum for the next stage of her life. Guided by her personal faith and her connection to her prized Arabian horse, Smith believes that she can be a part of enacting change, even on a global scale.

“I have learned that peace is participatory,” she says. “It is a simple truth, but it has allowed me to move forward in my life with purpose.”