Ember is for any married couple that wants more — more connection, more depth, more of what marriage was meant to be. Whether your marriage is struggling under the weight of life's demands or simply needs rekindling, Ember meets you where you are. The only requirement is that both of you genuinely want to do the work.

The retreat fee is $2,750 per couple and covers three nights' lodging at Rockwood Lodge, eight meals prepared by a legendary local chef, and all teaching and program materials for the weekend. As a ministry, the retreat's actual cost is heavily subsidized by generous donors who have attended past retreats and are paying it forward for couples like you.

Ember takes place at Rockwood Lodge in Highlands, North Carolina — a privately owned mountaintop estate with 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The setting is intentional. Away from the noise and pace of everyday life, Rockwood provides the kind of quiet and beauty that makes real conversation possible.

Ember uses a marital framework that is both practical and powerful. At its core is a reintroduction — or for some, an initial introduction — to a Christ-centered marriage, and an understanding that a deep relationship with God is central to a healthy, thriving one. We also believe in practical skills and tools, and we encourage couples to read widely and apply good principles. But in our experience, the most lasting transformation comes when couples stop toughing it out and start turning their marriage truly over to God.

Ember is not marriage counseling. It is marriage enrichment — a space designed for couples who want more out of their marriage, no matter where they are on their journey. Couples in deep crisis or with a history of severe discord, abuse, or talk of divorce need professional counseling. Ember is for couples who are serious about doing the intentional work to build a stronger marriage together.