Reference Layer and Joining Objects

I suppose this question could be posted on the user discourse category but I encountered it during code development so figured I’d post here. When joining two curves that are on a reference layer using the Rhino Join command, it creates a new curve representing the join and places it also on the reference layer. I expected it to create a new curve since you can’t modify objects on a reference layer, but I would have expected it to place the joined curve on the current layer. If I explode geometry on a reference layer the exploded objects are placed on the current layer if memory serves correctly. I’ve tried this both with my own Reference Layer objects as well as curves that I’ve included through a worksession and the behavior is the same.

Is this the expected Join behavior? The problem is you can’t modify or delete the joined object without closing the model.

Thanks, Larry