They moved their family to Battle Lake in the spring of 2020.
For Katrina Ball, it was familiar ground. She grew up outside of Breckenridge, but for years worked the Battle Lake summer tourism scene. After college, she went on with life and a career outside of Minnesota.
Yet Battle Lake still held her heart. In 2011 she came back and married James there. One day, she thought, they would make Battle Lake their home.
That one day came sooner than expected – can you say Covid?
Her husband, James Ball, loves the area, too, but his past is quite distinct. In fact, one might say he brings a worldly perspective to Battle Lake.
He was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in nearby Botswana, both in southern Africa. Ultimately, James made his way to live and work in Perth, Australia. There he met Katrina, who was in a study abroad program through the College of Saint Benedict.
So let’s fast forward to April of 2020.
The Balls are working in the Cayman Islands, in the accounting and financial sectors. Imagine their family of four squeezed into a small apartment. “Cayman was never a permanent home, more of an adventure for a few years,” Katrina said. So as the island locked down at the start of the pandemic, they decided to fly to Battle Lake for a bit more space. They stayed with Katrina’s parents on West Battle Lake for an extended summer vacation. A couple months later, they decided to stay permanently.
James, Katrina and their boys rented a house in the fall and began house hunting. The older fixer-upper they found through a realtor a few months later was perfect.
Teleworking Makes It Possible
One reason they could make the move is because the companies that they work for in the Cayman Islands allowed them to work remotely. Eventually, they both hope to move into a local job so a “work family” can be added to their social mix.
For now they are happily involved with the new “Cove” remote public working space in downtown Battle Lake. It’s close to the schools for the kids and they are already making new friends there. James is thankful for corporations that allow remote workers, saying that such arrangements “are great for small communities.”
He admits he isn’t fond of large cities. Even the Cayman Islands, or Perth, Australia, had more of a small-town feel, he said, which is one reason he’s happy about Battle Lake. “People are incredibly friendly and supportive here,” James said.
“I never thought I’d end up in Battle Lake,” James continues. “But I really like it.” He has moved a lot during his life, but now there is now a feeling of being settled down. “I always wanted the United States experience,” James smiles.
And the Battle Lake experience is even better!
