The land, quarrying nearby limestone for the temple, construction and building of homes on the YFZ Ranch were paid for in large part by sweat equity. According to Associated Press reports, money to purchase materials to irrigate and provide potable water was likely paid for with a trust fund estimated at $114 million.

Sect members also have a $1.2 million contract with the Pentagon to manufacture aircraft wheels and brakes.

Observers of the Texas situation believe that sect members have been doing their best not be accused of creating a kind of welfare state of their own to avoid the risk of accusations of fraud or taking advantage of a system in which they basically want no part.

Neither the immediate nor long-term fiscal impact of the decision to round up the children from the compound is known.

"I haven't seen anything," said Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, who has followed the case closely and writes a daily blog at www.nccpr.org.

---

E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com