Figured out my problem. Before posting I was trying to copy the files/directories from the server and copy them locally so ACE would default to local locations, but couldn't get correct paths going. Turns out the AeData directory was in another AeData folder so that was messing things up. Fixed that and everything seems to work just fine.
Anyway, the plan will be to have users who will borrow a license to sync (thanks Travis) the files on the server to their machine. This will allow them to have all the custom/shared aspects they would normally have acess to when on the network. Going on the road does not happen that often and most likely while on the road the users will not be creating additional custom blocks, templates etc. If they do they'll just have to do it again or sync up the file(s) with the server assuming no additions/changes have been made to the files while they were gone. Any new drawings created on the road can be remapped once they return.
So far it all seems to work, but we'll see as time goes on.
Thanks again.