Unfortunately, I trashed that version of the file. (The problem is not evident in the older version I still have) I probably shouldn’t have, but my frustrations and time constraints meant I had to move on.
I appreciate everyone’s help. I had hoped to create this piece in Rhino matching/replicating the reference and have it CNC-ed. I was unable to, so abandoned using Rhino/CNC to make it and we just hand sculpted out of foam. I knew RTK’s comment of “20 minutes in SubD” would not apply to me and my skills, but I didn’t think on and off for a week+ and I’d still not get it. A humbling experience.
Though I’m doing a lot more work in Rhino, the linked two problems still persist and I don’t have time at present to try again to them, so I’m back using Sketchup/AutoCAD for most of my work.
Best.