After I got the customary "You shouldn't install BETA software on a producttion server!" warning that *I* am usually delivering to my clients, he began work on the problem.
All I can say is wow. Even though the problem was bigger than I thought, Michael was great at keeping me updated on his progress. He was very up-front without making me feel like I was totally incompetent.
I am now back up and running, and in the future plan to use his company again if I find myself in hot water.