Rex's mission is to cure Erica of the hang-ups of childhood abuse by systematic desentisisation therapy - that is, exposing her to gradually increasing doses of what she dreads most, such as being touched or beaten. Results are slow in coming, but Rex is not a man to be easily discouraged. He believes that the Lord has laid this difficult task upon him. His duty is to be as severe as necessary in order to achieve success. He denies to himself that he enjoys it.