Thanks for all of the replies. As several of you have suggested, lessons are probably the thing to do as although I can pick my way around on a piano, mastery is not a word that I'd associate with said skills.
Nonetheless, I still plan on acquiring an arranger. And, although I think a 3000 might be the wisest selection, it just doesn't excite. So, I'm still a bit uncertain as to what I'll get. I'd love to see/try a few keyboards, but I live near KC....not exactly the arranger capital of the world. I guess I'll just have to listen to a few more demo's and just decide. Perhaps final cost will help sway one way or the other.
Again, thanks for all of your feedback.