NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A man who was hired to give a girl horseback riding lessons is now accused of raping her.

Marc Cruz, 46, an employee at A Cowboy Town, a horse ranch in the Whites Creek area of Nashville, is charged with statutory rape.

Police said the 15-year-old was taking riding lessons from Cruz this summer. She later began working at the ranch.

According to police, Cruz pretended to have connections in the music industry and told the girl he wanted to manage her singing career.

Authorities said he had sex with the girl on three occasions in remote areas of the ranch.