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.
Josiah Ramos
Assistant Manager
I started out as an intern at CLDI, and I quickly learned that I loved the work that I was doing and that God was doing in the community. I strongly believe that apprenticeship to Jesus is marked by doing what he did, being in community with others, and living as he lived. The Lord has blessed me to be able to have an amazing community here at Rail//Line and in Billings. Not only has Rail//Line given me a community to come alongside of and to help train in job skills, but it has also given me a community that I continually learn from. Each day brings to light new things about myself and about those that I have the honor and privilege of working alongside of. Rail//Line has been a beautiful place to me, and I pray that I continue to see the beauty that arises each day.
Join Us
Are you interested in being challenged, developing your inherent gifts, being mentored, and reaching for goals that you’ve hesitated to even try? At RAIL//LINE, we help you build your skill set, grow in understanding your identity, and develop rewarding leadership talents.