re = /(?<=^፻.+)\b(?=\w.*፻$)/m
str = '፻this test works፻
፻this test does not work፻
this is a line that stays unchanged
this is a line that stays unchanged፻
፻this is a line that stays unchanged'
subst = '፻'
result = str.gsub(re, subst)
# Print the result of the substitution
puts result
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Ruby, please visit: http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.2.0/Regexp.html