Common Ground Grows a Friendship

by Lightwell Insurance Advisors

We often talk about serving ministries in ways that go beyond insurance. But sometimes, the best way to explain what that really looks like is to share a story.

Brian McDonnell, Chief Operating Officer at Wears Valley Ranch in East Tennessee, has worked with one of our advisors, Ben Johnson, for more than 15 years. Their relationship began, as many do, with a policy renewal. But it quickly became something more.

Brian described his early interactions with Ben as surprisingly personal. “He would ask me, ‘How can I pray for you?’” Brian recalled. “And then later on he would ask me, ‘How is that specific thing going?’” It was clear to Brian that Ben wasn’t just making small talk—he was genuinely invested in the ministry and the people behind it.

Making Connections
That kind of care showed up in unexpected ways. When Wears Valley Ranch needed a new maintenance staff member, Ben didn’t just nod and move on—he connected Brian with someone from his own church. Over time, their conversations moved from insurance to triathlons, and eventually, to friendship. “I feel like, over 15 years, Ben is one of my best friends,” Brian said. “And I don’t say that lightly.”

Of course, there were also moments when the insurance part mattered deeply. In 2016, the Gatlinburg fires brought high winds and destruction to the Smoky Mountains. While the ranch didn’t catch fire, the winds tore roofs off buildings, destroyed a pavilion, and caused significant damage. Brian remembered how quickly Ben and the team at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company responded—assessing the damage, sending adjusters, and helping them rebuild. “It was as smooth as I could have imagined that being,” he said. “If I had to do it again, I’d want to do it with Ben and with Brotherhood Mutual.”

Total Game Changer
But perhaps the most telling part of Brian’s story is what happened outside the realm of insurance altogether. At a conference, he struck up a conversation with someone from the finance team at Brotherhood Mutual and learned about a new expense management platform they were using. That conversation led to more conversations with his Lightwell agent and a major operational improvement at Wears Valley Ranch. “It was a total game changer for us,” Brian said. “You helped us a ton in ways that weren’t insurance.”

Wrapping Up
That’s the kind of partnership we hope to build—with ministries that are doing the hard, beautiful work of serving others. For Brian, that means serving in ministry that helps children from difficult family situations find safety, love, and purpose in the Smoky Mountains. For us at Lightwell, it means showing up in ways that matter—whether that’s through a policy, a prayer, or a practical solution that makes ministry life just a little bit easier.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the services we provide. It’s about who we walk alongside.

Watch Brian's full interview here, or listen to The Lightwell Podcast on your favorite streaming service.

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