Ruiz was a Freemason who invited Betances to join his lodge, the "Logia Unión Germana" in nearby San Germán. They both founded (or revived, depending on the source) the "Logia Yagüez", so as to have a local lodge in Mayagüez. Based on his Masonic beliefs, Ruiz also attempted to establish a university in the city, for which he mortgaged his house. However, the Spanish government actively discouraged the founding of secondary education institutions in Puerto Rico (so as not to have "seedlings for revolt" come out of them), and the project was canceled.