  A new model is presented which explains the origin of the broad emission
lines observed in the LINER/Seyfert nucleus of M81 in terms of a steady state
spherically symmetric inflow, amounting to 1 x 10^-5 Msun/yr, which is
sufficient to explain the luminosity of the AGN. The emitting volume has an
outer radius of ~1 pc, making it the largest broad line region yet to be
measured, and it contains a total mass of ~ 5 x 10^-2 Msun of dense, ~ 10^8
cm^-3, ionized gas, leading to a very low filling factor of ~ 5 x 10^-9. The
fact that the BLR in M81 is so large may explain why the AGN is unable to
sustain the ionization seen there. Thus, the AGN in M81 is not simply a scaled
down quasar.
