Adult Application
Hi! My name is Gabriel Rubio and I am a Co-Head of Maple House. I am 40 years old. Please use he/him when referring to me!
Basic InformationWhere do you live? The Orphan Village
Are you married? If yes, to whom? Yes, to Karin Rubio
Do you have any children? If yes, list them. Not biologically, though Gabriel is likely to attach to children who come through Maple House and will consider them to be "his kids".
Is your family open to adopting children or adolescents? Yes, albeit cautiously.
AppearanceHeight: 6'0"
Build: Broad-shouldered, muscular
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Distinguishing Features: Several small scars from his years as a firefighter, including a faint scar along one forearm and a small burn mark near his right wrist.
Brief Description: Gabriel is the sort of man who immediately comes across looking capable. Years spent working as a firefighter left him strong and physically fit, though age has softened some of the sharp athleticism of his younger years. His dark hair is beginning to show traces of gray at the temples, but that doesn't concern him. You'll always find him with a watch on his wrist, and he typically dresses for practicality rather than fashion.
While his expression often appears serious at first glance, it changes dramatically when he smiles. The children of Maple House know that his smiles are earned rather than freely given, which somehow makes them all the more valuable. Most days he can be found in jeans, boots, and a work shirt with the sleeves rolled up, looking more prepared to repair a fence than attend a meeting.
PersonalityStrengths: Dependable | Calm under pressure | Protective | Disciplined | Patient | Honest | Practical | Loyal | Courageous | Observant
Flaws: Stubborn | Can be intimidating | Slow to trust | Struggles to ask for help | Holds himself to impossible standards | Sometimes overly protective | Overly blunt | Has difficulty admitting when he's wrong | Uncomfortable discussing his own feelings | Expects accountability from everyone
Likes: Woodworking | Home Improvement Projects | Early mornings | Physical excersise | Cooking family meals | Camping | Fishing | Dogs | Community service projects | Spending time with Karin | Smoking meats and barbecueing | Building furniture | Restoring old motorcycles
Dislikes: Carelessness | Excuses | Reckless behavior | Dishonesty | Bullying | Wasted potential | Excessive screen time | Laziness | Unnecessary risks | Being interrupted
Vices: Cigarettes
Fears: Death of those placed in his care.
Personality: Gabriel is a man of quiet certainty. He's the sort of man that rules his home with a quiet authority -- he doesn't scream it from the rooftops, it's there in the way he stands, acts, and how he chooses to proceed in certain circumstances. He rarely raises his voice and isn't the sort to talk simply to hear himself speak -- he observes, listens, and acts when necessary.
Years spent responding to emergencies has taught him that panic rarely ever improves a situation. As a result, Gabriel has developed a reputation for remaining calm even when everyone around him is losing their heads. Children and adults alike often find themselves looking to him during difficult moments simply because he appears so steady.
Though many people initially find him intimidating, those who know him well discover a deeply caring man beneath the stern exterior. Gabriel believes that love and accountability belong together. He is generous with his time, fiercely protective of the people he cares about, and utterly devoted to his family, though he often expresses those feelings through actions rather than words.
Relationships & DisciplineHow do you normally get along with other adults? Generally very well. Gabriel respects competence, honesty, and people who do what they say they will do. He tends to avoid gossip and unnecessary drama, which sometimes causes others to view him as reserved. Once someone earns his trust, however, they usually have it for life.
How do you normally get along with teenagers? Surprisingly well. Gabriel doesn't try to be teenagers' friend and doesn't concern himself with being liked. He treats teenagers with respect and expects them to behave responsibly in return.
How do you normally get along with children? Young children are often intimidated by Gabriel at first. Fortunately, this rarely lasts long. He is patient, dependable, and possesses an endless supply of terrible dad jokes. Children quickly learn that while he may be strict, he is also one of the safest people they know.
Link to your discipline sheet: click here ✅
Orphan VillageWhat is your role at the Orphan Village? Co-Head of Maple House
Which house or building do you work for? Maple House
Do you live in the Village or commute? Gabriel lives in Maple House with his wife.
Do you have any special training, certification, or skills relevant to your role? Former firefighter. Certified EMT. CPR and First Aid Instructor. Extensive emergency response and crisis management experience. Skilled in home maintenance, woodworking, and outdoor safety.
Do you prefer to work with a particular age group? Which one? Gabriel is most comfortable working with adolescents. He enjoys helping teenagers prepare for adulthood and believes they are often capable of more responsibility than adults give them credit for.
Do you struggle with a particular age group? Which one? Very young children
Briefly describe your caregiving or mentoring style. Gabriel believes children thrive when expectations are clear and consistently enforced. He emphasizes accountability, responsibility, honesty, and follow-through. While he is quick to correct poor behavior, he is equally quick to acknowledge hard work, perseverance, and personal growth. He wants children to leave Maple House feeling capable of handling whatever life puts in front of them.
Describe how you see your role in the village. Gabriel sees himself as a stabilizing presence. Whether that means helping a frightened child through a difficult night, responding to an emergency, teaching practical skills, or helping maintain village facilities, he wants to be someone others can depend upon.
Is there anything else we should know about your role in the Village? Gabriel strongly believes that every child deserves both belonging and accountability. In his mind, some of the most important lessons children learn come from adults who care enough to hold them to high standards.
BackgroundEducation: Associate Degree in Fire Science
Work History: Firefighter, EMT, Volunteer Youth Sports Coach
Current Goals or Challenges: Learning to slow down and build a life that isn't defined by emergencies. Continuing to help children find stability, confidence, and purpose.
Reason for Living on Birchwood Isle: Gabriel originally came because Karin wanted to see the island for herself after hearing about it from her sister. He expected a brief visit. Instead, he found a community built around responsibility, connection, and involvement. The values felt increasingly rare in the outside world, and he quickly found himself falling in love with it as much as his wife did.
Brief History: Gabriel grew up in a close-knit working-class family where service to others was highly valued. His father worked in construction and his mother served as a nurse, leaving him with a deep respect for people who spent their lives helping others. After high school, he joined the firehouse and quickly discovered that he had found his calling.
For nearly two decades, Gabriel served as a firefighter and EMT. And through his work, he's witnessed some of humanity's best moments and some of it's worst. The work taught him discipline, courage, and the importance of staying calm while others panicked, but it also taught him how fragile life could be.
Throughout those years, Karin remained the center of his world. Their marriage weathered long shifts, interrupted holidays, and countless sleepless nights. The greatest challenge they faced together, however, came when they discovered that they'd never be able to have biological children. While Karin openly grieved the loss, Gabriel buried himself in problem-solving and practical solutions before eventually accepting that some things just weren't able to be fixed.
When Karin's sister introduced them to Birchwood Isle, Gabriel expected little more than a change of scenery. Instead, he discovered a community where people still looked after one another and where children were expected to grow into capable, responsible adults. It felt like the kind of place he and Karin had been searching for all along. Together they accepted positions at Maple House.
