Ordinary Grace

We learn that Nathan Drum is responsible for leading Sunday worship at three different churches: at his own church, in New Bremen; at a church in nearby Cadbury, to the southeast; and in the town of Fosburg.

The chapter begins with the Drum family in Cadbury, for morning service. A friend of Ruth Drum, choir singer Amelia Klement, is not present at the service. At dinnertime, Ruth makes a casserole to take to Amelia. Ruth says that, “‘Amelia’s life is a prison cell presided over by Travis Klement, who, if he isn’t the worst husband in the world, is certainly in the running” (48).

Prior to the family driving to Cadbury and the Klement’s house, we learn Ruth’s backstory: Ruth was briefly engaged to Emil Brandt, “several years her senior {and] a wild one, both a prodigiously talented musician and one of the high and mighty Brandts who knew he was destined for greater things” (49). After Emil proposed to Ruth, he left her to move to New York City. By 1961, Frank says, their past moments of tumult were ancient history and the two are close friends.

Also prior to the drive to the Klements, Ariel voices her concern about leaving for Juilliard in the fall, saying that staying closer to home and going to school at nearby Mankato State would be cheaper.