From the dead

So, the company I first interviewed with back in early October and had given up for dead contacted me again today, reiterated their strong interest, and sent me a bunch of their confidential information to review. Based on everything that was said and the history, I think it's reasonably likely I'll be offered the job. So, here's my dilemma:

I like my current job pretty well, and the salary is plenty, but the growth potential is limited. My boss is really cool, though, as are my team members. Job security is reasonably good given this economy. I'm part of a decent-sized law department at a company with several thousand employees.

The new job would be general counsel of a start-up with about 80 people. Being in senior management of a smaller company is something I've always thought I'd like to try eventually, but it will be a learning curve now because I'm still relatively young. The new people seem pretty cool, and I get along with them, although they've been pretty slow at communicating. Salary would probably be a little better, which I don't care about much, and I'd get some ownership in the company, which would be great, because I could retire early and go on several missions. Sounds great. BUT...I'm very risk-averse, and this company is operating on a shoestring, limping from financing round to round, and they are not yet even cash flow positive, so there is a big risk. It would also surely be more stressful than my current job, since I'd go from mid-level, non-management to the legal go-to guy in a company with some unique challenges.

Bottom line: security with a job and people I know I enjoy, or take a pretty risky shot in a bad economy at a dream job with a chance to prove myself, grow a new business, and make money I don't need to meet my needs? Oh, and there's this: my wife and I have felt for several months like we were supposed to move to the metro area with the new job, which is about an hour from where we live now. If we successfully sell our home (we showed it again today) and don't take a new job, it will be an annoying commute to my current job for as long as I remain there.