Using static homepage... how can I add 3 or 4 latest blog posts in columns

Hello,
I am using a static homepage, but I want to add 3 or 4 latest blog posts in columns on the page. I would like thumbnail, title, date, and maybe a bit of the text with a read more link.

I'm having some trouble figuring out how to do it. The new editor with WordPress allows me to add blocks with only some widgets and the default WordPress recent posts widget doesn't allow for the thumbnail.

I tried adding a different plugin (recent posts with thumbnails) and while this works in a sidebar, WordPress does not let me add it to a block... it's not one of the widgets listed. There seems to be some restriction on it.

I also can't add the shortcode:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/display-posts-shortcode/

The shortcode is not recognized for some reason... even when I use a shortcode block. I can get other shortcode to work, but not this one.

I have not tried your generatepress "sections" yet. I wanted to see if you had any ideas for me before I try fiddling with that.

Thanks!