reached out and patted Rylan on the shoulder. “Truth is, I think we’ll need even more workers. My hope is that we can expand and become competitors with some of the larger potteries in the area. I’ll likely need some help from you when we begin the bidding process.”
Mr. Bancock had talked of expanding some time ago, but that had never happened. He’d possessed neither the money nor the desire to go into debt. Eventually, the business had diminished in size. For now, Rylan hoped the only thing Mr. McKay wanted to change was the decorating shop. The pottery needed to offer a greater variety of hand-painted and gilded pieces, but they would need more artists if they were to accomplish that goal.
Most of the artists who’d previously worked for Mr. Bancock had located work over the past few months. Still, a few might be convinced to return for a higher wage. And there had been talk of Miss McKay’s talents in design during their visit. Maybe she was planning to pick up a brush and ask Mr. Wheeler for instruction. With her skills, she’d likely master the craft in no time.
“I’ll be pleased to help you prepare bidding proposals or help anywhere else you need my assistance, but I think you’re wise to move slowly with any changes.”
Rylan had hoped the comment would elicit more information about any possible changes, but Ewan merely nodded and thanked him.
This likely was not the time to pursue the matter, but Rylan needed more reassurance Mr. McKay wasn’t going to turn his world upside down. “So you’d be waiting quite some time before you do anything to change the place?”
Ewan smiled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t say quite a while. If I’m going to turn this operation into a successful business, I need to gain contracts for large orders, and securing large orders means we’ll need more workers. Since the business has diminished and there are fewer workers than in years past, there isn’t a need to add more kilns or increase work areas right now.” His smile broadened. “But if things go as I plan, that day will arrive sooner rather than later.”
Rylan’s anxiety heightened as he digested the new owner’s words. He told himself he should remain silent, but he couldn’t hold back. He didn’t want Mr. McKay to walk in and create major changes in this place that he considered his home.
“There’s much to be said for not biting off more than you can chew. Big contracts mean more money, but if we can’t meet the demand on schedule, it will hurt the pottery’s reputation.”
“Rylan!” Mr. Bancock glared at him. “Mr. McKay does not need you telling him how to conduct business. He operated a large brickyard for many years. I think he knows how to make sound decisions.”
Rylan bobbed his head. “Aye. I’m sure he does, Mr. Bancock. I was just trying to point out—”
“’Tis quite all right. No need to worry about Rylan adding his ideas, Mr. Bancock. I’m a man who likes to hear from his workers. Nothing Rylan says is going to displease me. I may not always take the advice of those who work for me, but I’m always willing to listen. Having three sisters caused me to become a good listener early in life.” Ewan chuckled. “You have any sisters, Rylan?”
“Nay.”
“Then I’m guessin’ your mother taught you that listening is important in life, aye?”
Rylan shrugged slightly. “Mam died when I was ten, but the woman my da married made sure I listened.” His thoughts raced back to the many times his stepmother had cuffed him for not giving her the attention she demanded.
Mr. McKay winked. “I’ve learned it takes soft reminders from our womenfolk to turn us into proper gentlemen.”
Rylan didn’t reply. The reminders Rylan received from his stepmother had never been kind or soft. And she’d cared not at all about making him into a proper gentleman. Instead, she’d expected him to bring home a full pay envelope each week and complete his daily chores.
After
Mr. Bancock had talked of expanding some time ago, but that had never happened. He’d possessed neither the money nor the desire to go into debt. Eventually, the business had diminished in size. For now, Rylan hoped the only thing Mr. McKay wanted to change was the decorating shop. The pottery needed to offer a greater variety of hand-painted and gilded pieces, but they would need more artists if they were to accomplish that goal.
Most of the artists who’d previously worked for Mr. Bancock had located work over the past few months. Still, a few might be convinced to return for a higher wage. And there had been talk of Miss McKay’s talents in design during their visit. Maybe she was planning to pick up a brush and ask Mr. Wheeler for instruction. With her skills, she’d likely master the craft in no time.
“I’ll be pleased to help you prepare bidding proposals or help anywhere else you need my assistance, but I think you’re wise to move slowly with any changes.”
Rylan had hoped the comment would elicit more information about any possible changes, but Ewan merely nodded and thanked him.
This likely was not the time to pursue the matter, but Rylan needed more reassurance Mr. McKay wasn’t going to turn his world upside down. “So you’d be waiting quite some time before you do anything to change the place?”
Ewan smiled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t say quite a while. If I’m going to turn this operation into a successful business, I need to gain contracts for large orders, and securing large orders means we’ll need more workers. Since the business has diminished and there are fewer workers than in years past, there isn’t a need to add more kilns or increase work areas right now.” His smile broadened. “But if things go as I plan, that day will arrive sooner rather than later.”
Rylan’s anxiety heightened as he digested the new owner’s words. He told himself he should remain silent, but he couldn’t hold back. He didn’t want Mr. McKay to walk in and create major changes in this place that he considered his home.
“There’s much to be said for not biting off more than you can chew. Big contracts mean more money, but if we can’t meet the demand on schedule, it will hurt the pottery’s reputation.”
“Rylan!” Mr. Bancock glared at him. “Mr. McKay does not need you telling him how to conduct business. He operated a large brickyard for many years. I think he knows how to make sound decisions.”
Rylan bobbed his head. “Aye. I’m sure he does, Mr. Bancock. I was just trying to point out—”
“’Tis quite all right. No need to worry about Rylan adding his ideas, Mr. Bancock. I’m a man who likes to hear from his workers. Nothing Rylan says is going to displease me. I may not always take the advice of those who work for me, but I’m always willing to listen. Having three sisters caused me to become a good listener early in life.” Ewan chuckled. “You have any sisters, Rylan?”
“Nay.”
“Then I’m guessin’ your mother taught you that listening is important in life, aye?”
Rylan shrugged slightly. “Mam died when I was ten, but the woman my da married made sure I listened.” His thoughts raced back to the many times his stepmother had cuffed him for not giving her the attention she demanded.
Mr. McKay winked. “I’ve learned it takes soft reminders from our womenfolk to turn us into proper gentlemen.”
Rylan didn’t reply. The reminders Rylan received from his stepmother had never been kind or soft. And she’d cared not at all about making him into a proper gentleman. Instead, she’d expected him to bring home a full pay envelope each week and complete his daily chores.
After
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