Surprisingly, the legend was NOT as intimidating as expected, although definitely an "old school" redneck cowboy.
After giving me the tour of the ranch which included 30-40 boarder owned horses in stalls or paddocks, 6 Arabians and a HUGE Clydesdale owned by his wife, and 30-40 "Dude" horses used for trail rides, we stopped in at the "Chuck Wagon", the snack shop/diner his family ran on the ranch for the guests.
He told me - "well, you're obviously a 'Green Horn' and have a lot to learn (AMEN to THAT! I had just insulted his wife by telling her what 'pretty Appaloosas' her Arabians were!) but I'll hire you on one condition".
" Get your hair cut and shave off your beard"!!!
I was in shock! Although somewhat skimpy and scruffy, my beard had become part of my image and I had JUST gotten a haircut!
I told him so & he said - "go to Bernie's Barber Shop in Lafayette & tell him you want a "Keeney Special" & I'll pay for it". His closely cropped "military" hair SHOULD have been a warning of just what a "Keeney Special" would involve, but I agreed to it.
I left the ranch, drove to Bernie's & when I left, looked like someone just out of boot camp! (Bob had been in the Army Cavalry in World War II)
I reported for work the next morning and, over coffee told Bob that I felt I should be accepted for my ability to perform my job rather than by my appearance, and so long as my performance on the job was satisfactory, I would not have my haircut again. He accepted that & I went to work after moving my meager belongings into the bunkhouse provided for me.