A year ago, when PBS announced plans to produce a 6-hour special on religion called "God in America," Ken Verdoia, the longtime producer at KUED, gingerly sidestepped his way down the hall to the boss' office. He had an idea but wasn't sure how it would be received, if at all.

Religion. It's awkward to bring up.

He came out with his plan: He wanted KUED to piggyback on the national broadcast and produce a local documentary called "God in Utah."

Any trepidation proved unnecessary. Larry Smith, the general manager at the time, didn't blanch, back off or shy away.

"He said let's do it," remembers Verdoia.

And so they did.