In the following steps, you'll see ray tracing in action demonstrated with three simple spheres:
Open up a new file.
Delete the default cube.
Press Shift + A. Create UV Sphere from the Add Mesh menu.
In the 3D View Tool Shelf, click on the tab for the Tools subpanel, and set Shading to Smooth.
Press 0 on the NumPad to get the Camera view.
Press Shift + D to make a copy of the sphere. Move the new sphere to the right and release it next to the original.
In the Properties window, choose the Material button from the header.
Click on the New button and set the color in the Diffuse subpanel to red.
Select the original sphere again.
Press Shift + D to make a copy. Move the new sphere next to the original one on the left.
In the Properties window, click on the New button and set the color in the Diffuse subpanel to blue.
Select the center sphere again.
In the Properties window, click on the New button to create a new material.