At the bottom of a lake in rural Appalachia sits a once-bustling town whose story was nearly washed away and forgotten. Based upon actual events, The Purpose Beneath focuses on the small town of Stiltner, West Virginia, in the 1960s and a resident named Thomas Bailey. Thomas, a poor miner, is forced to not only battle his peers but also lose everything he has due to unforeseen circumstances and an unfamiliar foe. On top of Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement, Thomas must also learn to fight the battle within himself for his salvation. The circumstances all come to a boil when his wife, Emily, is forced to choose his legacy when given the option to hate or forgive and move on.