bed not rising to nozzle while printing

[Cj1 0]

Hey Everyone, 

I'm brand new to 3d printing and just picked up an Ultimaker Original +. I'm using Cura (still learning that program as well). My problem is when I set a file to print, the plate will move up and touch the nozzle (zeroing out?) then will drop about an inch away, and won't come back up. The nozzle will begin to print and push material but stays on the front left corner. I don't know if this is a code problem, a Cura setting, or some other form of user error. I've been doing my best to learn the code to see if there's something wrong with it but I'm so new at it I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on what it might be? If the way I'm describing it is confusing please say so and I'll do my best to describe it in a different manner.