Reference the model file into the rig file so model edits and rigging edits stay separate.
To allow model changes at any time, keep the model in its own file and reference it into the rig scene. Make model changes in the model file, and do all rigging work in the rig file.
The model file is referenced into the rig file, keeping the two workflows separated.
Referencing is useful while building a rig because model updates can be brought into the rig without rebuilding the entire scene from scratch.
Tip: the Publish function lets you keep both a rig file that references the model and a rig file with the model contained. This is useful when you need a rig file that cannot be broken by later model-file changes.