"BELAY has allowed me to focus on the responsibilities of my job that I need versus having to get stuck in some of the pieces that, while they may be on my job description, are not where I should put my time and energy. Our Bookkeeper with BELAY feels entirely different. We spend a lot of time with her. There's a lot of consistency in our interactions, and it has truly allowed us, me and our team, to do the things we need to while she gets to serve in that capacity."
— Ryan Treadwell, Director of Operations
The Challenge
Ryan Treadwell serves as Director of Operations at Orchard, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping ministry leaders thrive through cost-free coaching, consulting, and training. Orchard supports more than 100 non-profit partners who collectively impact approximately 150,000 people across the country — from feeding the hungry and mentoring students to fighting human trafficking.
In his role, Ryan oversees all of Orchard's programming, including the Orchard Partners program and its training and consulting efforts. His work is expansive and mission-critical, but he found himself spending time and energy on tasks that — while technically within his job description — were pulling him away from the strategic, people-focused work only he could do.
"We offer consulting and coaching for early phase nonprofit leaders [by] trying to help nonprofits learn what it looks like to be sustainable and scalable as they go out and serve their communities," Ryan says. "We currently serve over a hundred nonprofits that are impacting about 150,000 people across the country."
As Orchard continued to grow its reach and deepen its impact, Ryan needed a trusted partner who could take ownership of the financial operations — allowing him to stay focused on the mission that mattered most.
The Solution
Ryan turned to BELAY for support, and after working together for over three years, the partnership has proven genuinely transformative. BELAY matched Orchard with Bookkeeper Kerri Montgomery, who quickly became far more than a contractor — she became a consistent, integrated presence on the team.
"BELAY has allowed me to focus on the responsibilities of my job that I need versus having to get stuck in some of the pieces that, while they may be on my job description, are not where I should put my time and energy," Ryan says.
What distinguished this engagement from others Ryan had experienced was the relational depth that developed over time. Rather than a transactional hand-off, Orchard gained a bookkeeper who showed up with consistency, investment, and genuine care for the organization's mission.
"Our Bookkeeper with BELAY feels entirely different. We spend a lot of time with her. There's a lot of consistency in our interactions, and it has truly allowed us, me and our team, to do the things we need to while she gets to serve in that capacity."
"I'm really thankful for what BELAY has done. For this season, I'm really thankful that I don't have to put more energy into it now in a year that could change. And so I just feel like [BELAY] has done a good job of being very individualistic about what each client needs. I've been super thankful for that."
— Ryan Treadwell, Director of OperationsThe Impact
With Kerri Montgomery managing Orchard's bookkeeping, Ryan has reclaimed meaningful time and mental bandwidth — redirecting his energy toward Orchard's programming and the non-profit leaders it serves. BELAY's support has not only empowered Ryan to refocus his attention but has also created a genuine, integrated partnership that has enhanced the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Orchard's team.
Perhaps most meaningful to Ryan is the way BELAY approaches each client relationship — treating it as something personal and individualized rather than a one-size-fits-all arrangement. That level of intentionality has made all the difference during what he describes as a demanding and unpredictable season.
"I'm really thankful for what BELAY has done. For this season, I'm really thankful that I don't have to put more energy into it now in a year that could change. And so I just feel like [BELAY] has done a good job of being very individualistic about what each client needs. I've been super thankful for that."
For a non-profit committed to serving others at no cost, having a trusted back-office partner like BELAY means Orchard can stay focused on what it does best — equipping leaders to create lasting impact in their communities.