Flowers by Santilli, a third store in Cranston, declined to fill the order after learning the name of the recipient, Gaylor said. A fourth shop, in nearby Warwick, first accepted the order, then declined, saying it was afraid of a boycott.

Finally, Glimpse of Gaia, a floral business about one hour away in Putnam, Conn., agreed to deliver the flowers. Owner Sean Condon told me, "There are legitimate business reasons for not accepting an order. Religious views are not one of them."

The store threw in a second bouquet to the teenager with a message that it "supports the First Amendment and won't be bullied by those who do not."

The foundation has filed complaints in Rhode Island against Twins Florist and Flowers by Santilli, citing a state law that says it's unlawful for a place of accommodation to deny services "on account of religion."

Flowers by Santilli declined comment. Marina Plowman, owner of Twins Florist, said she did not accept the order because it came late in the day, her regular delivery person was gone, and she did not feel safe delivering the bouquet herself. (Ahlquist has been receiving police protection because of threats.) "I've never mentioned religion so far, so I don't know where (the foundation) is getting its assumptions," Plowman said.