Beyond Belief: Candles in the Dark is the third in an annual series of conversations: an ongoing project to foster and promote the use of reason in formulating social policy. This year, we asked participants to propose a Candle -- a potential solution to a problem that they have identified in their area of expertise or informed passion.

Almost as soon as Jake and Cassie decide to get married on Christmas Eve, complications arise. An ex-con, Leon Deeks (Graham Abbey, "The Border"), arrives in town, and Jake is asked by the Mayor to make him his top priority. At the same time, Jake's having trouble securing the wedding license since he can't find Cassie's documents proving her existence. There's also the difficulty in finding a wedding cake at the last minute. Last but not least, Jake's kids are upset: Brandon (Mathew Knight, "Candles on Bay Street") wants to spend time with his new girlfriend, and is feuding with his sister, Lori (Hannah Endicott-Douglas, "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday.") Meanwhile, Lori manages to lose Cassie's wedding ring.