Assuming that the short-text is on a preceding page, you can apply this workaround which uses an array-filter in the ranking question.
1) Directly after the short-text, add a multiple-choice question (code filter1) with a single sub-question (code q1).
2) Assign a CSS class "hidden" to that question.
3) Directly after the multiple-choice, add an equation question with this expression. It will toggle the hidden check-box if there is a value in the short-text.
4) Assign a CSS class "hidden" to the equation question.
5) Add an answer option (code q1) to your ranking question with this as the label (assuming Q1 is the question code for the short-text).
6) Apply an array-filter to your ranking question based on the hidden check-box question (code filter1).
Sample survey attached: