>I'm wondering what other options are available. Can someone recommend a reliable group that can provide quality training/mentoring at a reasonable cost? (I guess that's what everyone wants right?)

VFE is an n-tier framework. I'd recommend giving it a try. I use VFE, and it has some pretty good training videos and provides in house training (http://www.f1tech.com/Training/). VFE has an online conference and runs its own specialized Devcons from time to time (there's one comming up in September, in fact). You also can purchase on DVD some sessions from previous devcons. In addition, when you purchase the framework it comes with a free copy of Bob Archer's book on VFE.