Rick Ness, running short-staffed and under-equipped, has reached a breaking point early in the mining season. With longtime crew member Z gone and only greenhorn Morgan Lauren left on site, the pressure is mounting.
“I can’t do it all on my own,” Rick admitted after their rented loader blew a tire in the middle of a shift. The outdated machine, lacking even a front cab, had been kicking dirt into Morgan’s face all day.
With no spare parts and no backup, Rick made a bold move—driving to see Parker Schnabel, the former boss he hadn’t spoken to in two years. The two had parted ways under tense circumstances after Rick left to start his own operation.
Despite their history, Parker greeted Rick warmly.
“Good to see you, man,” Parker said. “You’re a survivor.”
Rick didn’t waste time. “I really need a loader,” he said.
Parker, who recently bought the Dominion Creek mine along with $2 million worth of equipment, showed Rick a machine he hadn’t even inspected yet. It was exactly what Rick needed.
“There’s no wheelin’ and dealin’,” Parker said. “Just use it. We’ll sort it out in the fall.”
Rick was clearly moved. “I appreciate the hell out of that, Parker. I know we’ve had our differences, but I won’t leave you in the lurch.”
Still, Parker couldn’t help but reflect afterward.
“For him to say he gave me his best years… that bugs me,” Parker said. “He’s 42. His best years aren’t over. I just hope he’s in a better place now.”
With a loader in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, Rick Ness is back in the game—for now.
