gistfile1.rb

# app/models/my_model.rb
class MyModel < ActiveRecord::Base

  def async_background_method(arg1, arg2)
    Queue::Normal.enqueue(self, :background_method, arg1, arg2)
  end
  
  # this happens in the background, 
  def background_method(arg1, arg2)
    # do something that takes a long time...
  end
end