Good for Steve Sr. for putting Kristi in charge...
I actually think Steve Sr. made the right decision by putting Kristi in charge while he's in jail. Looking at the boys this season, not one of them has shown they're ready to lead the business.
The biggest issue is that they all have priorities they consistently put ahead of the ranch. Steven is wrapped up in his relationship drama, Jesse is focused on who knows what, and Cole seems more interested in hunting and doing his own thing. None of them are fully committed to running the operation.
Kristi, on the other hand, has been involved in the business for years. She knows how it runs, she's level-headed, and she isn't constantly trying to outdo everyone else. The boys may not like answering to her, but respect is earned, not inherited.
If I were Steve Sr., I would've made the same call. Someone needed to keep the business moving while the brothers sorted out their own priorities.