Controller.rb

def signup
  user = User.new(blah blah blah)
  begin
    UserMailer.email_confirmation(user).deliver
  rescue Exception => e
    handle error
  end
end

gistfile1.rb

class UserMailer < ActionMailer::Base
  # Send the email_confirmation link to the user's address
  def email_confirmation(user)
    @user = user
    mail :to => @user.email, :subject => "Hello #{@user.name}" do |format|
      format.text { render :text => "TESTING: Hello #{@user.name}" }
    end
  end
end