Chapter 12
The morning scampered along. Dave volleyed repeatedly between reviewing the contract on his desk and revisiting the conversation he’d had earlier with Frank. It was a few minutes before one o’clock in the afternoon. He shoved Frank out of his head and saturated his thoughts with MABS.
There was a knock on the door, which irritated him slightly. He had to get focused if there was any chance of getting ready for the impromptu meeting that Davis had requested. He didn’t respond until the second series of knocks, which seemed louder. “Come in,” he yelled, loud enough to be heard.
“Excuse me, Mr., Mitchell, but Mr. Davis from the Midwest Association of Bible Scholars is here,” Dave’s secretary said, poking her head inside.
“I thought we had him down for two o’clock?” Dave stammered.
She stepped into the office. Yes. He’s early.”
Dave glanced at his watch. “Very early.” He thought for a minute. “Is he alone?”
“Yes, it’s just him.”
“Did we find out why Mr. Davis wanted to meet with me?”
“His secretary said Mr. Davis had a concern about recent events and needed to speak with you right away. That was it.”
“Hmmm, I wonder what this is about.” He thought some more, scratching his head. “Okay, give me twenty minutes. Offer him coffee, tea, a soft drink, or something from the cafeteria. Make him comfortable until I get these papers organized,” he said, shuffling the stack on his desk.
The secretary didn’t move.
“Well, is there a reason why you’re still standing there?” The secretary seemed reluctant to speak. “Sharon, what is it?” He needed her to speak up and then leave. Time was scarce, and he couldn’t squander the little he had.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell, but I don’t normally see you this rushed. It seems like you’re always in control, and I mean that in a good way.”
“Then that’s how I’ll receive your comment. In a good way,” he said.
He hadn’t realized there’d been a change in his behavior, but apparently others had, which had to be corrected. Every step of his DMI journey had been taken with wisdom, peace, boldness, and confidence. Whatever he undertook in the name of the Lord worked. Success was his trademark. Frank had reminded him about that time and time again. Whatever project or business he’d pursued in the past fifteen years was successful.
“Thank you,” he told Sharon. She probably thought it was for the compliment. Actually, it was for the reminder of who he was. He was a man who walked in faith—faith in God’s ability, not his own. Perhaps he was anxiously scrambling to get organized before Sharon came in. But she was right. That wasn’t Dave Mitchell. He wouldn’t dare worry and stress while at the same time confessing his faith in God’s plan. Faith and fear were opposites, unable to operate simultaneously. He had to choose one or the other, but not both.
“Should I tell him you’ll be free in twenty minutes, thirty, or longer?”
“No, just give me five minutes, and he can come in.” “Five minutes?” she questioned, seeing the pile of papers spread across the folder on his desk.
“Don’t worry. Five minutes is more than enough.”
“All right, if you insist, but please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Will do,” he said, ushering her from his office.
After the door closed, he moved to the center of the room and collected his thoughts. “He desired guidance and favor with Morgan Davis. Most importantly, Dave didn’t want his personal shortcomings to become a stumbling block for others. His prayer was that they would see the good in him, the godly part and discount the rest.” With that, Dave was ready for Mr. Davis.
He called Sharon on the line that went directly to her desk. “You can send him in.”
“So soon? Are you sure?” she practically whispered into the phone.
“I’m sure,” he said.
Dave greeted his client when he entered the office.
“Mr. Mitchell, thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Davis said.
“The pleasure is mine. Anytime we can help, we’re here. Why don’t you take a seat at my conference table? We’ll be more comfortable here than sitting around my desk,” Dave said, chuckling.
Davis walked over to the table.
“So, tell me, what can I do for you?” Dave asked, discarding the small talk.
Davis sat and immediately began speaking. “Well, since you’re being direct with me, I owe you the same courtesy.” Dave was extremely curious. “Our ministry is based on stability. We have to stand on a solid foundation if we want others to take our lead.”
Dave was waiting to see where Davis was headed. Nothing he’d said so far warranted an impromptu meeting. “I understand, but what does this have to do with DMI?”
Davis sat up tall in his seat. “The divorce from your DMI partner last year was concerning, but we stuck with you. Now we’ve recently been informed that you’re engaged to the former employee linked to the failure of your marriage.”
“What?” Dave asked, stunned that the leader of a multimillion-dollar ministry had actually got on a plane in Chicago and had flown for an hour to tell him this nonsense.
“We have a reputation to uphold. I’m afraid if we continue working with you, it sends the wrong message.”
“I don’t see how. My track record speaks for itself.”
“You’re absolutely correct, which is why I’m meeting you in person. I needed to look into your eyes and have you give me your word that DMI is solid.” “I assure you that we are. Nothing has changed. My personal life doesn’t affect DMI. When I’m here in this office, I’m the chief executive officer, which I take very seriously. When I’m in this seat, I’m working for you. And I do a heck of a job. So if you want to use the services of DMI to get your staff trained, DMI is the place for you. If you’re seeking a perfect man beyond these walls, then you’ll have to keep walking past this building.” He peered directly into Davis’s eyes and said, “Because we don’t have anyone here that meets that description.” He stopped talking, wanting to let his comments marinate. He could see the concern diminish on Davis’s face.
“Well, Mr. Mitchell, you raise a fair point.”
“Does that mean we still have a deal?”
Davis hesitated. Finally, he shook Dave’s hand and said, “We most certainly do.”
Dave was relieved. Frank’s words had tried to chip at his confidence, but it was too deeply rooted in years of success to be erased by a few harsh words from his brother. It was going to take a lot more for him to back down from his role as head of the company. Frank and Madeline better beware. Dave Mitchell was back and ready for business.