example.txt

#####################################
# recipes.html
---
layout: showcase
title: Recipes
description: my favorite recipes
---
{% assign item_collection = site.recipes | sort: 'date_range' %}

#####################################
# animals.html
---
layout: showcase
title: animals
description: animals I own
---
{% assign item_collection = site.animals | sort: 'species_name' %}

#####################################
# layouts/showcase.html
<h1>{{page.title}}</h1>
<h2>{{page.description}}</h2>
{{ page.item_collection }}   // This variable is empty even though it seems like we set it.

// How can we use a variable set in one of the pages in the layout?