A Mountain Stands There is the story of a young man forced into Catholic college by the bigotry dictates of his father, leaving his childhood love behind. She suddenly marries and bears a son, which crushes him. His parents are then suddenly killed in a train accident. He feels the incidents are an act of God and enrolls in the seminary school at St. Bart's in Boston. His wealthy adopted guardian, Emily Schumann takes over his ranch and finds coal. With the profits from the ranch and the coal mines, Emily Schumann invests his money, along with hers, not only in a new school, church and rectory, but through her manipulations, seats him on the board of directors of the Colorado Iron Company. Robert Gunther has no interest in the wealth, and after his being ordained, he serves in river front slums of St. Louis. Through Emily's wealth and power, she has Robert assigned to his home parish where he confronts his childhood love. Desire and heartaches ensues. He asked to be transferred and is sent to Europe and WW I. He constantly doubts his abilities as a priest, is wounded, resigns his priesthood and is sent home a hero, where he finds his childhood love a free woman. He also finds his son!