Browerville, Minnesota, is the setting of "Then Came Heaven," a novel of nostalgia for small towns, for the descendants of the Polish immigrants who settled such towns, and for the love of church life. As Spencer's tale begins, the year is 1950. The day is cast in the warm glow of early September as two railroad engineers debate then-current politics. But as their train approaches a crossing at Browerville, something terrible is about to happen. Krystyna Olczak is in her car, trying to get across the tracks before the train arrives. The tragedy occurs, and Krystyna, young, beautiful, and the mother of two girls, is dead. Her husband, Eddie, rushes to the scene of the accident too late. His grief is enormous. The local parish priest comes to his side, as well as friends and much of the local community. Someone else, too, is affected strongly by thisterrible accident.