“What is this place?” The scenery gave me hope. The gardens, which were about all I could see so far, were lush and beautiful, and the building up ahead looked like one of those Antebellum mansions from an old black-and-white movie. The kind that has stately Greek marble columns running around the front and sides with a wraparound porch perfect for enjoying the view while avoiding the heat of the sun.

 My heart started racing with excitement because, truth be told, ...