Samuel and his siblings are raised by a mother who, despite her maternal instincts, cannot embrace or praise them, and cannot ever even say the words, "I love you." Praying for God's healing was their only allowable form of connection. Little was known about autism in the 1970s. Samuel's unusual behavior was considered to be a sign of possession. When his mother witnesses Samuel's savant-like artistic talent, she is gripped with fear. Both parents realize they must hide Samuel's sculptures since the Amish forbid any form of creative expression.