However, I’ve made progress, and managed a three-column liquid layout for the front page. However, it’s still ALOT to learn, and I’ve got a long way to go. So we’re going to install the Modern Template for Magento, and finish up entering the products and such, then open the site and I’ll keep working on the skin. I hate feeling rushed when there are so many details to absorb, and this will give me the time to learn other aspects of the back end that I’ll need to know before we launch.

Yes, it’s hard to skin. Yes, it’s a lot more complicated than ZenCart. But if it’s twice as complicated as Zen, yet 100 times better, then I think the strain on the brain is worth it!