The ladies of the Maintown, Oregon church are all abuzz when they learn of the new and single circuit-riding preacher that will be coming through town. They all decide to inspire their daughters to make a quilt to welcome him, which soon results in a competition between the girls as each tries to out-sew the other. But Zach Hartley is unlike any preacher they've ever seen - he's clumsy in the pulpit and does women's work rather than praying over the sick. While this only serves to endear him to most women, Ellie sees something suspicious in his character. Maybe it's his connections to the Portland crime ring and other dangerous thugs?