about the big fields
Rooted in nature, designed for real life
The Big Fields is the kind of place I wished had existed when I needed it. It’s not an eating disorder clinic, or a holiday resort. Just a quiet piece of land where you can rest, cry, laugh, and breathe again.
Where you don’t have to prove anything, and where it’s okay to be tired of recovery, scared of how to live “normally” again, or sometimes completely overwhelmed by all noise in your brain.
This place is for people who are dealing with an eating disorder – whether you’re just starting to come up for air, deep in the hard middle, or trying to find your footing again after treatment.
Some come here to just sit with the chicken, dig in the garden, feed the horses, and feel their body again in real life. Some come with their family, needing a break from therapy schedules, food battles, and walking on eggshells. Some don’t know what they need, only that they’re worn thin and need a soft place to land.
We keep things simple. Because it’s not about fixing you, it’s about living.
What we offer
Our programs & retreats
Retreat Center
Family reset holidays
Holistic vacations for families navigating eating disorders. We offer support and space for the whole family to rest, reconnect, and reset – without the usual stress of going away.
The big fields stay
An internship for young adults in the final stages of eating disorder recovery. Through daily rhythm, animal care, shared meals, and light structure, we create a safe space to practice life beyond the eating disorder.
Host your own retreat
Use our warm, functional base to host your own group in nature. With shared spaces, accommodation, and the rhythm of the land, it’s an ideal setting for facilitators who value both structure and soul.
How we work
What you'll find at the big fields
Rooted in nature
Our work follows natural rhythms. We’re building toward self-sufficiency through permaculture, biodiversity, and regenerative practices like biochar and land renewal. We grow what we can, cook from the garden, and share meals around long tables and fire pits.
A range of meaningful support
Whether you’re here for recovery, rest, or fully enjoying your vacation – you’ll find options to match your pace. From yoga, massage, and horse rides to equine therapy and conversations with someone who had an ED herself.
Small scale, growing intentionally
We’re currently expanding toward 10 guest rooms and a handful of camping spots, keeping the scale personal and the atmosphere spacious. You won’t get lost in a crowd – but you’ll find enough structure and energy to feel supported.
Secluded, not isolated
The property includes forests, fields, a private lake for swimming, a cold stream, and views in every direction. It’s quiet, but not disconnected – cycling, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, lakes, villages, and even cities are all within reach.
A place to work and play
Need to work a bit during your holiday? No problem, we are well-equiped for both personal and professional stays, with facilities like a co-working space, gym (2026), fast fiber internet, and spots for rest and recharge. Whether you’re here to focus or to slow down, the environment supports both.
Shared with our animals
You’ll meet our horses, chickens, and dog – and if you look closely, you might spot deer, foxes, owls, and other wild neighbours.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all experiences. We believe in real places, where people can grow at their own pace.
who were are
Behind the big fields
We’re Maud Buseman and Jan cihlar, a Dutch–Czech couple living here with our dog, three horses, and two very opinionated chickens.
The Big Fields started as a dream to live slower, closer to the land, and create a place for people to land, just like I once needed myself.
I (Maud) have walked the messy road of eating disorder recovery myself – and made it my work to support others online and offline on that same path. I’m a trained (trauma-informed) coach, an equine therapist, and an experienced guide for young people and families navigating life during and after an eating disorder.
This place is shaped by that journey. Rhythm, rest, animals, fresh air, and space to just be – without fixing, without pressure.
Jan brings the strength, the firewood, the garden, and the unlimited love for the animals. He makes the place work in all the ways you can feel but don’t always see. Together, we are builing a home for ourselves, and others. So if you’re looking for a down-to-earth place to land, you’re in the right spot.
