Meet the Team
Our Management Team
Elle Thompson
Apprenticeship Director
With a job that began as an Assistant Manager at RL and evolved into the role of Apprenticeship Director, I’ve cultivated a profound passion for both the South Side community and the coffee shop. I believe that my purpose aligns with this season of growth for the shop and its staff.
My mission is to nurture a community founded on acceptance, compassion, and support within our workspace. Through the Apprenticeship Program, I empower individuals with a diverse skill set, spanning from practical tasks like laundry and cooking to essential life skills like passing driver’s tests, coupled with a focus on exceptional customer service and craft coffee expertise.
I hold a strong belief in the beauty of shared moments over a cup of coffee. It’s in these moments that we discover and celebrate the unique gifts of those around us, fostering deeper connections and a sense of belonging. It is a passion of mine to share a table with someone whose life experiences differ from your own. Over a cup of coffee, you have the opportunity to appreciate each individual’s journey and how they’ve been shaped. This belief extends beyond the staff to my personal relationships. I’ve always been drawn to inviting friends and family to share a cup of coffee, knowing that it’s a chance to connect and understand one another on a deeper level.
Each day is an answered prayer as I have the privilege of walking alongside incredible individuals, highlighting their talents, and providing a safe and supportive environment for personal growth.
I have always believed what 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by faith, not by sight” Embracing this to me has meant acknowledging the uncertainty of tomorrow, yet finding solace in the profound privilege of walking alongside a community. It’s this aspect that makes my role at RL so remarkably special.
Joel Leischner
Assistant Manager
I’ve been at Rail//Line for a little over two years now, and it has easily been the most relational job I’ve ever had. Every day, I get to talk about life, faith, and everything in between with the people who walk through our doors and those I work alongside. Over the course of two years Rail//Line has become so much more than a workplace.
Currently, I’m studying Biblical Studies with an emphasis on Next Generation Ministries at Montana Bible College, hoping to become a youth pastor one day. I also serve as a youth intern at Elevation Church, which has been an amazing place to grow and pour into others.
This summer, I’m getting married at The Gathering Place (yes, very excited!), and when I’m not studying, working, or wedding planning, you’ll probably find me playing disc golf, diving into a good book, or gaming. My go-to drink is a vanilla latte with brown sugar and cinnamon.
A verse that keeps me grounded is James 1:12: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Rail//Line has been such a gift, and I’m thankful for how God keeps using it to teach me, shape me, and draw me closer to Him.
Nate Cullingworth
Rail//Line Manager
I’m originally from South Africa, but my family and I moved to the U.S. about eight years ago. I’ve been in the coffee world for six years now, and over that time, I’ve worked in a variety of shops and settings—but nothing quite like Rail//Line.
There’s something incredibly special about being part of the Rail//line apprenticeship program. It’s not just about making good coffee (though we do that too); it’s about walking alongside others, investing in people, and growing together. Places like this are rare, and I feel genuinely honored to be a part of it.
Outside of Rail//Line, I serve as a Military Police Officer in the National Guard. That role has taught me a lot about discipline, leadership, and the importance of service—lessons I try to carry into every area of life, including behind the bar.
Rail//Line feels like a place where community, purpose, and faith intersect, and I’m grateful to be in the middle of it all.