The Foundation Stone of St. Paul's

When Christopher Wren began rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666, he faced a decision that would determine the fate of the entire structure. The old foundation stones had cracked and shifted in the intense heat. Some advisors urged him to build quickly atop what remained. Wren refused. He spent years — years that drew criticism and impatience from London's leaders — carefully excavating down to bedrock and laying a new foundation stone by stone.…