Maria Rodale, heir apparent to Rodale Press (Runners' World, Bicycling, Organic Gardening, Prevention Magazine) is about to begin a sabbatical to prepare herself for her as-yet-to-be-determined leadership role. She must consider several challenges: ascertaining her new job and convincing the chairman (her mother) to share power, gaining the confidence of more-experienced senior management, navigating family (shareholder) politics, and charting a new corporate direction and strategy.

The night before she assumes her new role as vice chairman of Rodale Press, Maria Rodale prepares her coming-out speech and polishes her 90-day plan for how she will "make her mark." Recent financials indicate positive results, causing Maria to wonder how she will be able to imbue the firm with a sense of urgency given the fast-changing publishing business.