Overload sent Carole into great happiness. She thought, all those years when a flatmate, that Anabelle was the work-alcholic, but this new project sent her into a tizzy of activity. Six persons had been hired, in the small work space she now rented in her town. Some were women from Cuba, who had never lost the art of embroidery and sewing. Carole understood that her move to Florida was part of a larger plan of God. Mark was happy with the logistics of getting things from Florida to California, where the kits were finished. A part of Carole's little factory was dedicated to packing and shipping things to Mark's company. Mark communicated that speed was important, but Carole would not tolerate any handiwork less than worthy for Mass. Her women cut, sewed and embroidered all the linens and the travel stoles. Carole appreciated that some of her staff were original, talented and competent enough so that she did not have to mico-manage. Within the first month, over 1,000 stoles, purificators, finger towels, and the knapsacks, etc. were made and shipped. But, at this rate, it would take four years to complete Mark's order.
Carole went into hyper-drive. In the second month, she doubled her staff. Slightly over 2,000 sets were finished. Carole now had twelve people working for her. She herself worked long hours. She also designed newer lines of the bag, which were lighter yet sturdy. Still, in one year, she could only produce a maximum of 24,000 sets. And, she wanted to keep up the quality of these linens. All these pieces would be used for the Consecration of the Holy Eucharist. Mark was insisting on the year-end deadline.
Mark did not want to use other groups of crafts-persons. He knew that a certain amount of secrecy, as much as possible, was necessary. His company in California gathered the altar ware, finished packing the bags, and sent them off to the contacts Mark had made in the dioceses. His first priority were those under the worst attacks, like in the states of Washington and Oregon, Iowa, and Hawaii.
The first sets had been sent out as soon as possible. Within two months, at least 1,500 sets were completed and sent out.
Mark had to work on the Holocaust Museum as well. He eagerly accepted that job as another focus, and he was being paid extremely well for this project. His own staff, his own company, made up of people completely devoted to him personally, supported his work, no matter what it entailed.
He was aware that his goal of 40,000 kits in one year was most likely unrealistic. But, he would not lessen the pressure. Instinctively, Mark knew that Carole would figure out how to make deadlines, and, if the mass kit project took longer, well so be it. But, with the political climate changing so quickly, Mark wanted to hasten production. But, he did not want Carole to hire too many people. Under a certain number of employees, different laws applied. Mark wanted to keep the project small and under the radar. No more than fifteen, he had told her, including herself.
May in Florida had shocked Carole, a temperate climate type of girl, but she persisted. As long as she could get linen, and the materials needed for the stoles and bags, she would press on. God called the laity to do their bit, she told herself. This activity made her five loaves and two fishes multiply in order to feed the souls of American Catholics with the graces of the Holy Eucharist. If she had time, she would have stopped to think of how amazing this project actually was, but, she did not have time to reflect on the overall picture. She embroidered many of the stoles herself. She prayed and worked, worked and prayed, and was happier than she had ever been in her young life.
To be continued...
