Money & Career | Career Couples Erich and Leslie Mansell Erich and Leslie Mansell met at work in 1991. After a whirlwird romance, they married within a year. Their jobs were eliminated after Hurricane Rita. Through an unlikely series of events, they became co-lay pastors at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where they have served together for the past ten years. Leslie cites several perks of working with her husband. “Being a pastor is often stressful. You’re carrying the load of so many others. It’s wonderful to have someone there to help when you don’t feel you can do it alone. We also get to share in the joys, the excitement, and the privileges of serving in ministry together.” But there are of course drawbacks, as well. Erich says it is difficult to break out of “work mode.” “We went on a retreat to help us reconnect. It was also designed to help us bring the Sabbath back into our lives; however, we still struggle taking that day of rest and personal time with each other. We attempt to establish time to ourselves, but it is almost impossible. The congregation and their needs are a priority for us.” Leslie adds they talk shop all the time. “I guess that’s why we make such a good team. We are always sharing ideas. It is so exciting to be in ministry together. We do get away occasionally, but we are always there for our Church Family.”
Drs. Jason and Kelly Fuqua Drs. Jason and Kelly Fuqua met in their hometown of Sulphur as teens. They married in 2000 and attended LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. After the many years of medical school and residency, they both decided to pursue Family Medicine and returned to Sulphur to open their practice, Calcasieu Family Physicians of WCCH. They share the responsibilities of the practice and both are there full time. Kelly says they each have their own approach to practicing medicine, and that is helpful. “We can rely on each other if we are struggling with a particularly difficult patient case, and often can offer advice from a different perspective.” Kelly and Jason consider it a great advantage to be work partners. “I never hesitate to ask his advice when needed, and he does the same. We work very well together, and we work hard to try and keep a great work environment for our staff,” Kelly says. She adds they each are usually so busy with their patients, they really don’t talk much during the day. As the only two doctors in their practice, they do face challenges as a married couple. “It can be very difficult to be away from the office for any length of time together, whether for vacation or Continuing Medical Education activities,” says Kelly. They have three young children and they try not to talk about work at home or on those occasions when they go out just the two of them. But Kelly admits, it still happens quite often. “It is very difficult to separate your work from your home life when you are married to your work partner, but we work hard to find that balance.”
46 www.thriveswla.com
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
February 2017