North Carolina, 1863. As the American Civil War rages on, the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island is blossoming, a haven for the recently emancipated. This is where the March family has finally been able to safely put down roots with four young daughters. Meg is a teacher who longs to find love and start a family of her own. Jo is a writer whose words are too powerful to be contained. Beth, a talented seamstress, is searching for a higher purpose....