<div>Keith Lawrence, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.Noble Locksmith Tristate’s office is a Ford Transit 250 with a high roof and steel shelves.“If I had a physical location, I would rarely be there,” Ryan Clark, the franchise owner, said this week. “I have everything I need in my van — mobile phone, computers, everything I need.”He began studying locksmithing a couple of years ago and bought the franchise in January.“Our territory covers Daviess County and all counties touching it in Kentucky and along Indiana 66 to Evansville,” Clark said. “But for now, I concentrate on Daviess and counties around it.”He was headed to Reynolds Station on a job as soon as the interview was over.Keys are more complicated today than they were a few years ago.“I have to have a special license to get into the security systems of vehicles,” Clark said. “There are countless computers that have to work together. It’s a whole different ballgame now. You’re not programming a key to a car. You’re programming a car to a key.”He said, “I have to hook up to the car to gain access to the security system. And then, I have to submit paperwork. There’s a lot of scrutiny for locksmiths. And there should be.”Clark said, “I’ve had kids put keys in microwaves. And a lot of golfers seem to lock their keys in their cars when they’re talking and putting things in their trunks.”He said, “I like technology. I have the same software as the factory. I tell people it will take 30 to 45 minutes to give myself some cushion. But I can usually do it in about 20 minutes as long as I have the software.”Everything he needs is on the shelves in his van.And there’s a desk for his computer.While he’s talking, his cell phone rings.Somebody else is having trouble.“I’m very mechanical savvy,” Clark said. “I’ve worked on bikes since 1999.”He can’t work on European cars yet, though.“European cars have different systems,” Clark said. “I’m training for that.”His website — noblelocksmithtristate.com — says Clark offers car key replacement, residential and commercial services, key duplication, lockout service, ignition repair, lock installation and lock rekeying.Noble Locksmith is a San Diego-based chain with franchises in 14 states from California to ConnecticutHistorians said locksmithing has been around since locks were invented around 1000 BC.</div>

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Keith Lawrence, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. Noble Locksmith Tristate’s office is a Ford Transit 250 with a high roof and steel shelves. “If I had a physical location, I would rarely be there,” Ryan Clark, the franchise owner, said this week. “I have everything I need in my van — mobile phone, computers, everything I need.”