One of the most important messages ever received by a Lumberjane arrived by post after many moons’ journey.
It was a scroll, sealed with poppy-red beeswax and written in squid ink, which read:
World is not flat. World is round. Adjust plans accordingly.
For Jo, the letter she held in her hands felt similarly life changing.
Sitting on a rock in the middle of the woods, Jo stared at the text, wide eyed.
The Center for Scientific Advancement and Research is pleased to offer you an exclusive position in our Summer Theory and Advanced Astronomical Research Program, effective immediately.
Jo’s fingers started to sweat, leaving little circle smears on the very thick letterhead.
“I didn’t apply for a Summer Theory and Advanced Astronomical Research Program,” Jo said, out loud, to the letter.
Admission to this program was based on your record of overall exemplary merit and achievement in the fields of mechanical engineering, quantum physics, and your recent first place in the “Reinvent the Wheel” Academic Olympics. It did not require an application.
“Oh,” Jo said.
It sounded like kind of a big opportunity.
This is actually a once-in-a-lifetime incredible opportunity, the letter confirmed.
Jo looked at the letter again.
“Holy Maryam Mirzakhani,” Jo gasped.
The program was being led by Professor Ellis Watters Stevenson Allen III.
That is correct.
Jo bit her lip. Professor Ellis Watters Stevenson Allen III produced some of the most dynamic theorems on space travel ever conceived. Two of her theories were published when she was seventeen years old.
Technically sixteen and a half, the letter added, somewhat smugly. I mean, if you want to get technical about it.
Working with someone like that could change your whole career. This kind of opportunity . . .
Could be life changing, the letter noted.
“Wait,” Jo asked, rescanning the top paragraph. “The program starts immediately?”
Admission to the program would require students to appear at the institute no later than . . .
In one week. That was very very very soon.
Jo had always imagined that someday she would do something like this—that she would work with famous scientists, that she could BE a famous scientist.
Both of her dads studied at the Center for Scientific Advancement and Research before going on to study at various other centers in various other programs.
Eventually, Jo knew, this kind of opportunity would come knocking.
And now, the letter said, here I am.
“Hey!” Ripley stepped out of the trees. “What are you doing?”
“Oh.” Jo stuffed the letter into one of her many coat pockets. “Nothing.”
“Okay, um.” Ripley stepped one sneaker on her other sneaker and twisted her arms behind her back. “I was hanging out with Barney but now Barney has to go help Zodiac with the cabin contest.”
“Cabin contest?” Jo looked up and noticed for the first time that it was near dusk. Sky violet.
Jo jumped off the rock, her April sensors tingling. “Ohmygosh Rip! We gotta go!”
Grabbing hands, the two of them burst into a run.