Page 2 of There’s Trouble Brewing

She nodded determinedly. “Can’t wait.” Her eyes scanned the space, already formulating plans.

“Neither can I. I have no doubt you’ll do an amazing job here,” he said warmly, his confidence in her abilities soothing her lingering concerns.

“Thanks, Mark,” she smiled, appreciating his support. “I won’t let you down.”

As they finished the tour and Emily prepared to dive into her work, her thoughts churned with equal parts excitement and apprehension. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she reminded herself that she wasgreat at finding a way to connect and motivate others, even when she met resistance to her methods.

“Your role here is crucial, Emily,” he said, meeting her gaze. “You’ll be shaping our team, ensuring they have the skills necessary to provide excellent service and quality beverages.”

She flashed a confident smile though her stomach fluttered with nerves. “I’m up for the challenge. And honestly, I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

“Good. I trust your expertise completely,” Mark replied, his sincerity shining through. His confidence in her abilities was contagious, and she felt her own resolve strengthen.

Emily made a mental list of observations and questions she needed answered about the shop and its operations. She wanted to be well-prepared and knowledgeable going into her new role and decided to seize the opportunity to learn more.

“I noticed you don’t have a sign up about where the beans come from. I think you need to post that somewhere on the counter," she told him. “Brave Badge Roasting Company sources their beans from all over the world, with a focus on fair trade and sustainability,” she explained, her passion evident in her voice. “I think your patrons will be pleased to know that you’re not only serving great coffee but also making a difference.”

“That’s a great idea,” he told her with an approving smile.

“And what’s your equipment maintenance schedule like?” Emily inquired, glancing at the gleaming espresso machines.

“Every machine is serviced regularly by a certified technician, and I want you to train the baristas to perform daily cleaning routines to ensure optimal performance,”Mark assured her. “I take this aspect of my business very seriously.”

“Good,” Emily nodded, already making mental notes for her training sessions.

“Any other questions?” Mark asked as he leaned against the counter and tilted his head to the side as if he were assessing her.

“Actually, yes,” Emily hesitated, then pressed on. “Do you have any specific goals or challenges that you want me to focus on during the training? Anything particular about this local community that I should keep in mind?”

Mark considered her question for a moment before responding, “Well, Faith Valley is close-knit. We value our traditions and our community ties deeply here. It’s important that the baristas not only serve coffee but are friendly to the locals. Engagement is key. Maybe you could integrate some local history or trivia into the training sessions?”

Emily’s eyes lit up with the idea. “That sounds fantastic. It’ll not only make the baristas more relatable but also deepen their connection with the customers. I’ll start researching right away.”

“Excellent,” Mark said, his eyes reflecting genuine appreciation for her enthusiasm.

Their conversation flowed naturally, a blend of professionalism and friendliness that made the daunting task ahead seem manageable. She appreciated Mark’s openness and honesty, which only served to deepen her respect for him. With the coffee shop owner’s support and her own determination, she knew they could make the Brave Badge in Faith Valley a success.

The front door chimed, and a young woman who looked to be in her twenties, a middle-aged woman, and a man who looked about thirty scurried into the coffee shop.Mark made introductions with the young woman first. Sue was twenty-four and a former paramedic who was injured when her ambulance flipped over. Nancy retired after serving twenty years in the Air Force, and Bryan was an ex-firefighter who had PTSD due to responding to a series of life-threatening calls.

Emily watched as Mark animatedly detailed the training plans to the new baristas. It was clear to her that he was passionate about the Brave Badge’s mission, and she couldn’t help but admire his dedication to helping heroes start over. Despite his reserved demeanor, there was a fire in his eyes that spoke volumes about his commitment to making a difference.

“All right,” Emily said with a lighthearted grin, “let’s get this show on the road. What kind of coffee ninjas are we looking to train here?”

Mark chuckled at her choice of words as Sue, the tall blonde with a bob, spoke up first. “Well, we want to be skilled in all aspects of coffee-making, but most importantly, we want to do that while connecting with our customers. After all, what makes the Brave Badge special is that it’s more than just a coffee shop; it’s a place where people can find support and feel welcomed.”

“Correct,” Emily replied, scribbling down some notes. “Coffee ninjas with a heart of gold. I think I can work with that.” Her sarcasm was light and playful, but beneath it lay a genuine respect for the vision.

The baristas peppered Emily with more questions and curiosity written on their faces. “How soon before we can make the fancy drinks?” asked Nancy, a short woman with curly brown hair that was peppered with gray. Her eagerness made Emily smile, and she paused to consider the best way to respond.

“First, we focus on the basics,” Emily answered, hervoice reassuring. “Once you master things like espresso shots and steaming milk, you’ll be free to get creative with orders.” She saw enthusiasm spark in their eyes and felt a surge of inspiration herself. “Trust me. You’ll be making lattes and cappuccinos that are out of this world before you know it.”

Mark observed Emily with a nod of approval, clearly impressed with her ability to engage the team. Emily turned her attention to the group again, ready for whatever they threw her way.

“How long will the training last?” asked Bryan, tilting his red head thoughtfully.

Emily knew the answer might overwhelm them, but she also sensed their commitment. “Full training is a month,” she explained. “But you’ll have the basics down by week two.” Seeing their looks of determination fueled her excitement. “It’ll be a whirlwind, but I have no doubt you can handle it.”

Encouraged by her confidence, the baristas exchanged eager glances, clearly excited to dive in.

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