From Corporate Life to the Life of Caretaking

 When they first met in Las Vegas, both Rome and Rebecca were aggressively climbing the corporate ladder.  Rome recalls, “At that time, each of us was no stranger to hard work.” Rebecca and her three siblings were raised by a single mother and Rome, at the age of sixteen, applied for emancipation and began to live independently. Each acquired a strong work ethic at a young age. Separately they both aspired to fulfill their desire for a corner office on the upper floor of some faceless high rise office building. Neither of them was expecting to fall in love.

Rome’s story starts out in a small, rural Indiana county surrounded by dairy farms, corn fields and a variety of four- and two-legged animals. Rome worked alongside his father, yet he yearned for the big city and the big job. He earned a scholarship to Columbus College for Art and Design. In addition to his skills in art and design and in the culinary arts, Rome mastered the essentials of construction under the tutelage of a master. Eager to join the ranks of corporate America, Rome left for the booming city of Las Vegas. Rebecca’s story begins in sunny California where she spent most of her time on her Uncle Jack’s horse ranch. She easily developed a love of all animals. After a move to Las Vegas Rebecca initially pursued the field of veterinary medicine, but the call of the white collar corporate lifestyle led her to switch careers. Rebecca soon found herself in the position of lead paralegal for one of Nevada’s largest law firms.

 Rome recalls, “Rebecca and I met at an orientation for a large California corporation that was expanding into the thriving markets of Las Vegas. We both had desires to reach the top of our fields, neither of us had any interest in slowing down, neither of us had any interest in falling in love.”  Fall in love they did. From the very first meeting it was love and, according to the couple, “A match made in the heavens.” Rebecca will tell you, “I knew from that day I was going to marry Rome.” Rome says, “The wedding, on the Las Vegas Strip was corporate sponsored. We said our vows underwater, in a 1,000 gallon fish tank, wearing wet suits. In true corporate fashion the event crossed with a restaurant opening promotion and made newspapers in over 30 cities from coast to coast.”

During the early years of their marriage both Rome and Rebecca pursued their careers and made great strides in the corporate world. Rebecca was the top paralegal of her law firm. Rome was an upcoming star and the youngest project manager on the Las Vegas Strip. They even had time to start an international business importing building materials.  Earning great money but working long hours and weekends, the couple hardly saw each other. In 2008 the housing bubble burst in Las Vegas. Rome and Rebecca had to make a tough decision: “Should we stay or should we go?” They decided to pull up stakes and move to the beaches of the East Coast. One day Rebecca came across an article in The New York Times about caretaking and The Caretaker Gazette. Rome was dubious, but Rebecca convinced her husband to look into it. They subscribed to The Caretaker Gazette and responded to a few ads: they received three job offers. Montana, Idaho, and Georgia were calling but the couple still had some reservations. With halting curiosity they decided to drive out to the country to meet the owners of a 60+ acre horse ranch.

 Halfway through their first meeting with the owners, Rome and Rebecca knew they would be happy there. Although they told the owners that they would have to discuss the opportunity between themselves, they knew before they got back home that was what they wanted to do and where they wanted to be. Rome could easily manage the daily care of horses and light maintenance of the property; a commitment of 20 hours a week. In return, the couple would live in a two bedroom, two bathroom cottage and earn a small stipend.

Caretaking on the ranch is a seven-day-a-week commitment. In Rome’s and Rebecca’s situation they have a fairly informal arrangement with the property owners. Rome routinely starts his days early, just before the horses’ feeding time. After a golf cart ride with the dogs to the pond to feed the ducks, Rome is off to do his chores. Prioritizing the needs of the ranch and being a self-starter are important attributes. The work week normally includes light maintenance and simple tasks. Mending fences, clearing the riding trails, grooming and other horse care, cutting the grass around the main house, and gardening are standard. Rebecca helps out twice a week at the main house with the vacuuming, dusting, light cleaning, and will occasionally assist the owners with computers and letter writing.

According to Rome, “Rebecca and I both will tell you that caretaking is a simple and stress-free life that comes with many valuable benefits. Our recommendation to anyone who is interested in caretaking as a career is to understand there are many different types of positions available. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the wide variety. Get to know the potential employers and ask questions to make sure you understand what will be expected of you.” Three years after abandoning corporate America, Rome and Rebecca have forgotten any reason to strive to climb the corporate ladder.  The couple is still in love and loves the caretaking lifestyle. Although other opportunities still exist, they find themselves quite content to be in the life of caretaking. The only complaint you will hear from Rome is, “Rebecca, Why didn’t you make me do this years ago?” 

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