Recruiting update. Applications continue to roll in for the design job. With a week to go, I've received way more than I expected.
One application stood head and shoulders above the others, and I met the applicant last week, and hired him the next day.
I'm going to continue to review applications, and host something fun for 6 or so people whom I'd like to meet and possibly collaborate with someday. So if you haven't gotten your application in, or even if you have, that's the new prize. I'll contact those people next week.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me in this process, and particularly to everyone who put so much into their application. This search has been enriching, and it continues to unfold.
Jelly