Together with his partner Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Ridge bought in 2007 a 19th-century farm, Beekman Mansion, located in Sharon Springs, New York.

He was responsible for working with the famed architect I. M. Pei to design a new center for the care of older adults at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Once the design was complete, he wrote Martha Stewart a letter while she was incarcerated asking her to consider becoming the benefactor of the new center.

The prize enabled Josh to quit his job in NYC and move to the farm with Ridge full-time.

After losing his job at MSO during the recession of 2008, Ridge moved to a weekend property he had purchased in Sharon Springs, NY, and launched Beekman 1802, a lifestyle company devoted to seasonal living.

The company produces a wide range of products in the beauty, gourmet foods, home décor and gardening areas.

They have had business relationships with retailers such as Anthropologie, Henri Bendel, Williams Sonoma, John Derian, ABC Carpet, Home, and others.

The original Beekman 1802 Mercantile on Main Street in Sharon Springs, NY, can still be visited and Ridge can often be seen in the shop when he is not traveling.