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Esther
The ladies had offered the asking price, and their offer had been accepted. Now they were stepping into their new sanctuary for the first time.
Esther gasped. The pictures hadn’t done it justice.
“It smells like mold,” Vicky said.
“No, it doesn’t,” Esther snapped.
“It smells like a new beginning,” Cathy said.
“You know,” Esther said, “that would be a great name for the church.”
“What?” Cathy said. “New Beginning? A little on the nose, don’t you think?”
Esther laughed. “How about New Beginnings?” She emphasized the plural. “Everyone who steps inside can have a brand-new beginning every time they step inside.”
“I love it,” Vera said. “We’re going to have to build a wheelchair ramp, pronto.”
“Why?” Vicky said. “You don’t use a wheelchair.”
“Won’t be long,” Vera said quietly.
“Wow, look at the organ!” Rachel said in wonder.
“I was thinking we could sell that,” Esther said. “It’s got to be worth a fortune. It might pay for all the repairs we need.”
“If it was worth a fortune, don’t you think they would have sold it already?” Vicky said.
“I don’t think we should sell it,” Rachel said. “I think we should play it.”
“Maybe, but I think we would need to pay an organist,” Esther said.
Rachel stepped up onto the organ’s platform. “I don’t think we should sell it.”
Fearing this would be the first point of contention, Esther dropped it.
Rachel ran her fingers down the keys and sighed. “But you’re right. We could probably use the money more than we can use the organ. I’ll look into selling it.”
“Thank you,” Esther said.
“We’re lucky they left the pews,” Barbara said.
Esther didn’t think luck had anything to do with it.
“When are we closing again?” Barbara said, looking to Esther for the answer.
“Tuesday, but the owners said we can move in anytime.”
Vicky snickered. “Move in,” she repeated derisively.
“I mean we can start getting the place ready.”
Vicky shook her head. “I still don’t see how we can do all this. Just look at how much work there is.”
Esther looked around and tried to be objective. There were some issues. The windows were all boarded up, the wallpaper was peeling, and there was a foot of dust on everything. She had no idea what shape the wiring or plumbing was in.
“Kyle is ready to start anytime,” Barbara said.
“Stop trying to drum up business for your son!” Vicky said. “The minute he demanded we pay him was the minute he became not much use to us.”
“Stop,” Esther said sharply.
Vicky looked at her, her eyes wide.
“Either get with us or leave, Vicky!” Her own boldness surprised her. “You are doing us more harm than you know! I love you. We all love you. But if you don’t want to be a part of this, then don’t be a part of it. You can still come to church here, even. But if you don’t want to be a part of getting us going, then please leave us alone!”
Vicky didn’t respond. Her obvious indignation had apparently rendered her speechless.
“She’s right,” Cathy said softly. “We do love you, Vicky. But we don’t need your negativity. We are going to do this, and if we fail, we fail. That will be okay. But we’re going to try.” She looked at Barbara. “Tell Kyle we’re ready for him.” She turned to Esther. “We need to make a list of what we want him to do.”
“I would say he needs to check the electrical and plumbing first. I have no idea how to do any of that.”
Vicky let out a long sigh. “Have you all forgotten my son Alex is a plumber? I’ll give him a call. And I won’t let him charge us.”
“Great,” Cathy said. “Thank you, Vicky.”
“The closing is Tuesday?” Rachel said.
“That’s the plan,” Esther said.
Vicky sighed. “When is our first service?”
The question sent a thrill through Esther. “How about the twenty-eighth?”
“Of July?” Vicky screeched. “We’ll never be ready!” Her expression softened. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sound critical.”
Esther bit back a laugh. “The building will not be perfect, but we don’t need it to be. We need to put a sign outside and make sure the toilet works. I think we can do those two things before the twenty-eighth.”
“Uh ... who is going to preach?” Vicky asked.
At first no one said anything.
“I’ll pray about it,” Esther said, “and I’ll try to find someone to be a guest preacher.”
“Or I could do it,” Cathy said.
They all looked at her, surprised.
“You’re a woman!” Vicky said.
Cathy frowned. “We’re all women.”
“But a man might come!”
Esther held up her hand to stave off the next argument. “Fine. Cathy can preach.” She couldn’t imagine it, but crazier things had happened.
“We need to come up with our doctrinal statement,” Rachel said.
Esther didn’t like the sound of that.
“So we know where we stand on things. Will this church allow female preachers? Will we sprinkle or dunk? Wine or grape juice?”
Barbara groaned. “There is so much to do.”
Esther rubbed her hands together. “I know. Isn’t it great? Let’s get started!”
