Is there any value in making Kayle start off as a melee champion?

Often times, it is completely suicidal to go into melee as Kayle because the only right way to build her is the squishy route.

So that leaves the only way for her to function is to be a temporary ranged unit, who supports her allies with spells when her ranged attack is gone. The only time I've ever found her melee attack truly useful is when I'm at a huge advantage over the opponent. Either because the opponent is far weaker than Kayle, or because the enemy champion is just plain not there at all, letting Kayle use her melee to last hit minions without worrying.

I know her ranged attack is really powerful and all to compensate for how it's a temporary ranged attack that costs mana. But is it good champion design? Is it really intentional to make a champion melee only to make it absolutely impractical to ever send her into melee range in combat?