/*
Theme Name: Hire an Expert Hub
Theme URI: https://hireanexperthub.com
Author: Hire an Expert Hub
Description: Custom WordPress theme replicating the Hire an Expert Hub design system — navy/teal/gold palette, Montserrat + Nunito typography, hero bands, section blocks, article cards, CTA cards, and the full library of content components (pillars, tip boxes, metric grids, timelines, takeaway chips, comparison tables, FAQ rows).
Version: 1.0.0
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.7
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Text Domain: hireanexperthub
Tags: blog, one-column, custom-logo, custom-menu
*/

:root {
  --navy:   #1a2e4a;
  --teal:   #3b9e9e;
  --gold:   #e8a020;
  --cream:  #f5f1eb;
  --white:  #ffffff;
  --shadow: 0 8px 40px rgba(26,46,74,0.13);
}

*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

body {
  font-family: 'Nunito', sans-serif;
  background: var(--cream);
  color: var(--navy);
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }
a { color: var(--teal); }

/* ── TOP BAR ── */
.site-header {
  background: var(--navy);
  padding: 14px 40px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

.logo-wrap {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.logo-wrap img {
  height: 70px;
  width: 70px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  object-fit: cover;
  border: 3px solid var(--gold);
}

.logo-text { line-height: 1.1; }
.logo-text .hire   { font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-weight: 900; font-size: 1.5rem; color: var(--white); letter-spacing: 2px; }
.logo-text .an     { font-family: 'Nunito', sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1rem; color: var(--gold); }
.logo-text .expert { font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-weight: 900; font-size: 1.5rem; color: var(--white); letter-spacing: 2px; }
.logo-text .hub    { font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--teal); letter-spacing: 4px; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; margin-top: 2px; }
.logo-text .hub::before, .logo-text .hub::after { content: ''; display: block; height: 2px; width: 18px; background: var(--teal); border-radius: 2px; }

.header-tagline {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55);
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 600;
}

/* ── HERO BAND ── */
.hero-band {
  background: linear-gradient(120deg, var(--navy) 0%, #1e3a5f 60%, #163148 100%);
  color: var(--white);
  text-align: center;
  padding: 56px 24px 60px;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.hero-band::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 70% 50%, rgba(59,158,158,0.18) 0%, transparent 65%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.hero-band::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  right: -60px; top: -60px;
  width: 320px; height: 320px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  border: 2px solid rgba(232,160,32,0.15);
  pointer-events: none;
}

/* Landing hero (big two-line headline) */
.hero-band h1 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.4rem);
  line-height: 1.05;
  letter-spacing: -0.5px;
  position: relative;
}

.hero-band h1 span.stop  { display: block; color: var(--white); }
.hero-band h1 span.start { display: block; color: var(--teal); }

.hero-band > p {
  margin: 18px auto 0;
  max-width: 520px;
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8);
  line-height: 1.6;
  position: relative;
}

.hero-band > p strong { color: var(--gold); font-style: italic; }

/* Article hero variant */
.hero-band.hero-article h1 {
  font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 4vw, 2.8rem);
  line-height: 1.1;
  max-width: 720px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.hero-band h1 .line1 { display: block; color: var(--white); }
.hero-band h1 .line2 { display: block; color: var(--teal); }

.hero-band .label {
  display: inline-block;
  background: rgba(59,158,158,0.25);
  border: 1px solid rgba(59,158,158,0.5);
  border-radius: 30px;
  padding: 6px 20px;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--teal);
  margin-bottom: 18px;
  position: relative;
}

.hero-band .meta {
  margin: 16px auto 0;
  max-width: 500px;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7);
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 20px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  position: relative;
}

.hero-band .meta span { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 5px; }

/* Hero steps (landing) */
.steps {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 6px;
  margin-top: 30px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  position: relative;
}

.step {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
  border-radius: 30px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.8px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--white);
}

.step-icon {
  width: 26px; height: 26px;
  background: var(--teal);
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.step-arrow { color: var(--gold); font-size: 1rem; }

/* ── MAIN CONTENT ── */
.site-main {
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 60px 24px 80px;
}

.site-main.center-justify { justify-content: center; }

.article-wrap,
.page-wrap {
  max-width: 760px;
  width: 100%;
}

/* Services chips strip */
.services {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 12px;
  justify-content: center;
  margin-bottom: 52px;
  max-width: 700px;
}

.service-chip {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 9px;
  background: var(--white);
  border: 2px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.08);
  border-radius: 40px;
  padding: 9px 18px;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(26,46,74,0.07);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.4px;
  color: var(--navy);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: all 0.2s;
}

.service-chip:hover {
  border-color: var(--teal);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(59,158,158,0.18);
}

.service-chip .dot {
  width: 28px; height: 28px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.dot-teal { background: var(--teal); color: #fff; }
.dot-gold { background: var(--gold); color: #fff; }
.dot-navy { background: var(--navy); color: #fff; }

/* ── SECTION LABELS ── */
.article-section,
.articles-section {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 780px;
  margin-bottom: 52px;
}

.section-label {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-bottom: 24px;
  justify-content: center;
}

.section-label::before,
.section-label::after {
  content: '';
  flex: 1;
  height: 1.5px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(26,46,74,0.15), transparent);
  max-width: 120px;
}

.section-label span {
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--teal);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

/* ── INTRO CALLOUT ── */
.intro-callout {
  background: var(--navy);
  color: var(--white);
  border-radius: 16px;
  padding: 28px 32px;
  margin-bottom: 28px;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.intro-callout::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0;
  width: 5px; height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
  border-radius: 16px 0 0 16px;
}

.intro-callout p {
  font-size: 1rem;
  line-height: 1.75;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);
  padding-left: 16px;
}

.intro-callout p strong { color: var(--gold); }

/* ── ARTICLE BODY & SECTION BLOCKS ── */
.article-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 20px; }

.section-block {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 16px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  padding: 28px 32px;
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.06);
  position: relative;
}

.section-block::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 60px; height: 3px;
  border-radius: 0 0 3px 3px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
}

.section-block h2 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
}

.section-block h2 .h-icon {
  width: 30px; height: 30px;
  background: var(--teal);
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  color: #fff;
}

.section-block h2 .h-icon.gold { background: var(--gold); }
.section-block h2 .h-icon.navy { background: var(--navy); }

.section-block p {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: #3d4f63;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.section-block p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.section-block p strong { color: var(--navy); font-weight: 700; }

.section-block ul,
.section-block ol {
  padding-left: 22px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.section-block li {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: #3d4f63;
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}

/* ── BENEFITS GRID ── */
.benefits-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-top: 4px;
}

.benefit-card {
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 18px 16px;
  text-align: center;
  border: 1.5px solid;
}

.benefit-card.b-teal  { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.07);  border-color: rgba(59,158,158,0.22); }
.benefit-card.b-gold  { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.07);  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.22); }
.benefit-card.b-navy  { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.05);    border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.14);   }
.benefit-card.b-cream { background: var(--cream);           border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.12);   }
.benefit-card.b-teal2 { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.05);  border-color: rgba(59,158,158,0.18); }
.benefit-card.b-gold2 { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.05);  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.18); }

.benefit-card .b-icon { font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 8px; }

.benefit-card .b-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 5px;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
}

.benefit-card .b-desc {
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.55;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── SERVICES LIST ── */
.services-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 12px;
  margin-top: 4px;
}

.service-row {
  display: flex;
  gap: 14px;
  align-items: flex-start;
  padding: 14px 16px;
  border-radius: 10px;
  background: var(--cream);
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.08);
  transition: border-color 0.2s;
}

.service-row:hover { border-color: var(--teal); }

.service-row .s-icon {
  width: 36px; height: 36px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 1rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.s-teal { background: var(--teal); }
.s-gold { background: var(--gold); }
.s-navy { background: var(--navy); }

.service-row .s-content { flex: 1; }

.service-row .s-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 3px;
}

.service-row .s-desc {
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── TIP BOXES ── */
.tip-box {
  background: rgba(59,158,158,0.08);
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(59,158,158,0.25);
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 16px 20px;
  margin-top: 14px;
  display: flex;
  gap: 12px;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.tip-box .tip-icon { font-size: 1.1rem; flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 2px; }

.tip-box p {
  font-size: 0.86rem;
  color: #2d5a5a;
  margin: 0;
  line-height: 1.65;
}

.tip-box p strong { color: var(--teal); }

.tip-box.gold-box {
  background: rgba(232,160,32,0.08);
  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.3);
}
.tip-box.gold-box p { color: #7a5a20; }
.tip-box.gold-box p strong { color: #9a6010; }

.tip-box.red-box {
  background: rgba(220,60,60,0.06);
  border-color: rgba(220,60,60,0.25);
}
.tip-box.red-box p { color: #7a3030; }
.tip-box.red-box p strong { color: #a03030; }

/* ── PILLARS (4-card grid) ── */
.pillars {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-top: 16px;
}

.pillar-card {
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 20px 18px;
}

.pillar-card.p-teal  { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.08);  border: 1.5px solid rgba(59,158,158,0.25); }
.pillar-card.p-gold  { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.08);  border: 1.5px solid rgba(232,160,32,0.25); }
.pillar-card.p-navy  { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.06);    border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.15);   }
.pillar-card.p-cream { background: var(--cream);           border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.12);   }

.pillar-letter {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: 1.8rem;
  line-height: 1;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.p-teal  .pillar-letter { color: var(--teal); }
.p-gold  .pillar-letter { color: var(--gold); }
.p-navy  .pillar-letter { color: var(--navy); }
.p-cream .pillar-letter { color: #8494a8; }

.pillar-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.pillar-desc {
  font-size: 0.83rem;
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.65;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── NICHE CHIPS ── */
.niche-grid {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-top: 14px;
}

.niche-chip {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  border-radius: 30px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
}

.niche-chip.red    { background: rgba(220,60,60,0.08);   border: 1.5px solid rgba(220,60,60,0.25);   color: #a03030; }
.niche-chip.gold   { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.1);   border: 1.5px solid rgba(232,160,32,0.3);   color: #7a5010; }
.niche-chip.teal   { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.08);  border: 1.5px solid rgba(59,158,158,0.25);  color: #1e6464; }
.niche-chip.navy   { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.07);    border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.18);    color: var(--navy); }

/* ── STEPS LIST ── */
.steps-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 16px;
  margin-top: 16px;
}

.step-item {
  display: flex;
  gap: 14px;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.step-num {
  width: 32px; height: 32px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--navy);
  color: var(--white);
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  margin-top: 2px;
}

.step-num.teal { background: var(--teal); }
.step-num.gold { background: var(--gold); }

.step-content { flex: 1; }

.step-content .step-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.step-content p {
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

/* ── TAKEAWAY CHIPS ── */
.takeaway-chips {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-top: 14px;
}

.takeaway-chip {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  background: var(--cream);
  border: 2px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.1);
  border-radius: 40px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
  color: var(--navy);
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.takeaway-chip .dot {
  width: 20px; height: 20px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
}

/* ── COMPARISON TABLE ── */
.compare-table {
  width: 100%;
  border-collapse: collapse;
  margin-top: 14px;
  font-size: 0.88rem;
}

.compare-table th {
  background: var(--navy);
  color: var(--white);
  padding: 10px 16px;
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-align: left;
}

.compare-table th:first-child { border-radius: 8px 0 0 0; }
.compare-table th:last-child  { border-radius: 0 8px 0 0; }

.compare-table td {
  padding: 10px 16px;
  border-bottom: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.08);
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.6;
  vertical-align: top;
}

.compare-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.025); }
.compare-table td strong { color: var(--navy); }

/* ── FORMULA BOX ── */
.formula-box {
  background: var(--navy);
  border-radius: 14px;
  padding: 24px 28px;
  margin: 18px 0;
  text-align: center;
}

.formula-box .formula-label {
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--teal);
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.formula-box .formula-text {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: clamp(0.95rem, 2.5vw, 1.2rem);
  color: var(--white);
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.formula-box .formula-text span { color: var(--gold); }

/* ── METRIC GRID ── */
.metric-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-top: 18px;
}

.metric-card {
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 20px;
  border: 1.5px solid;
}

.metric-card.m-teal  { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.07);  border-color: rgba(59,158,158,0.25); }
.metric-card.m-gold  { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.07);  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.25); }
.metric-card.m-navy  { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.05);    border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.15);   }
.metric-card.m-cream { background: var(--cream);           border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.12);   }

.metric-card .m-icon { font-size: 1.4rem; margin-bottom: 8px; }

.metric-card .m-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 5px;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
}

.metric-card .m-desc {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── TIMELINE ── */
.timeline {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0;
  margin-top: 18px;
  position: relative;
}

.timeline::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  left: 15px; top: 16px; bottom: 16px;
  width: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
  border-radius: 2px;
}

.timeline-item {
  display: flex;
  gap: 18px;
  align-items: flex-start;
  padding-bottom: 22px;
  position: relative;
}

.timeline-item:last-child { padding-bottom: 0; }

.timeline-dot {
  width: 32px; height: 32px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--white);
  border: 2.5px solid var(--teal);
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}

.timeline-content { flex: 1; padding-top: 4px; }

.timeline-content .t-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 3px;
}

.timeline-content p {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  line-height: 1.65;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

/* ── FAQ ROWS ── */
.faq-row {
  padding: 16px 0;
  border-bottom: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.08);
}
.faq-row:last-child { border-bottom: none; padding-bottom: 0; }
.faq-row .faq-q {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.faq-row p { margin-bottom: 0; }

/* Inline text link */
.in-link { color: var(--teal); font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; }
.in-link:hover { color: var(--gold); }

/* ── EXPERTISE GRID (about page) ── */
.expertise-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-top: 16px;
}

.expertise-card {
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 20px 18px;
  border: 1.5px solid;
  display: flex;
  gap: 14px;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.expertise-card.e-teal  { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.07);  border-color: rgba(59,158,158,0.22); }
.expertise-card.e-gold  { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.07);  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.22); }
.expertise-card.e-navy  { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.05);    border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.15);   }
.expertise-card.e-cream { background: var(--cream);           border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.12);   }
.expertise-card.e-teal2 { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.05);  border-color: rgba(59,158,158,0.18); }
.expertise-card.e-gold2 { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.05);  border-color: rgba(232,160,32,0.18); }
.expertise-card.e-navy2 { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.04);    border-color: rgba(26,46,74,0.1);    }

.expertise-card .e-icon {
  font-size: 1.4rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  margin-top: 1px;
}

.expertise-card .e-content { flex: 1; }

.expertise-card .e-title {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.expertise-card .e-desc {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: #3d4f63;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── VALUES ROW (about page) ── */
.values-row {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-top: 18px;
}

.value-chip {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 7px;
  background: var(--cream);
  border: 2px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.1);
  border-radius: 40px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
  color: var(--navy);
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.value-chip .vc-dot {
  width: 20px; height: 20px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

/* ── CONNECT CARD (about page) ── */
.connect-card {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 16px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  padding: 32px 36px;
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.06);
  position: relative;
  text-align: center;
  margin-top: 20px;
}

.connect-card::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 60px; height: 3px;
  border-radius: 0 0 3px 3px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
}

.connect-card h2 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

/* ── CTA CARD (landing) ── */
.cta-card {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 20px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  padding: 48px 44px 44px;
  max-width: 540px;
  width: 100%;
  text-align: center;
  position: relative;
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.07);
}

.cta-card::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 80px; height: 4px;
  border-radius: 0 0 4px 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
}

.cta-card h2 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.45rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.cta-card p {
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  color: #6b7a8d;
  margin-bottom: 28px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

/* ── CTA STRIP (article footer) ── */
.cta-strip {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 20px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  padding: 40px 36px 36px;
  margin-top: 40px;
  text-align: center;
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.07);
  position: relative;
}

.cta-strip::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 80px; height: 4px;
  border-radius: 0 0 4px 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--teal), var(--gold));
}

.cta-strip h3 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.cta-strip p {
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: #6b7a8d;
  margin-bottom: 24px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  max-width: 520px;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
}

/* ── HIRE BUTTON ── */
.btn-hire {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  background: var(--navy);
  color: var(--white);
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1rem;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 10px;
  padding: 15px 34px;
  cursor: pointer;
  width: 100%;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: background 0.2s, transform 0.15s;
  text-decoration: none;
  margin-bottom: 14px;
}

.btn-hire:last-of-type { margin-bottom: 0; }
.btn-hire:hover { background: var(--teal); transform: translateY(-2px); color: var(--white); }
.btn-hire span  { font-size: 1.1rem; }

/* ── TRUST ROW ── */
.trust-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 20px;
  margin-top: 24px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.trust-badge {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #8494a8;
}

.trust-badge .tb-icon { color: var(--teal); font-size: 0.9rem; }

/* ── AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE ── */
.disclosure {
  max-width: 680px;
  width: 100%;
  margin: 28px auto 0;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  color: #8494a8;
  line-height: 1.7;
  text-align: center;
  font-style: italic;
}

.disclosure strong { font-style: normal; color: #6b7a8d; }

/* ── ARTICLE CARDS GRID ── */
.articles-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 18px;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
}

.article-card {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 16px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.06);
  overflow: hidden;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s, border-color 0.2s;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  position: relative;
}

.article-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(26,46,74,0.16);
  border-color: var(--teal);
}

.article-card-top { padding: 22px 22px 0; }

.article-cat {
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 4px 12px;
  border-radius: 20px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.cat-teal { background: rgba(59,158,158,0.12); color: var(--teal); }
.cat-gold { background: rgba(232,160,32,0.12);  color: #9a6010;    }
.cat-navy { background: rgba(26,46,74,0.08);    color: var(--navy); }

.article-card-icon {
  font-size: 2rem;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
  display: block;
}

.article-card h3 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  line-height: 1.35;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.article-card p {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: #5a6a7e;
  line-height: 1.65;
  padding: 0 22px;
  flex: 1;
}

.article-card-footer {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 14px 22px 18px;
  margin-top: 14px;
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.06);
}

.article-read {
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--teal);
}

.article-arrow {
  width: 28px; height: 28px;
  background: var(--navy);
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  color: var(--white);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  transition: background 0.2s;
}

.article-card:hover .article-arrow { background: var(--teal); }

.article-card::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
  height: 3px;
}

.article-card.accent-teal::before  { background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--teal), #5bbcbc); }
.article-card.accent-gold::before  { background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--gold), #f0b840); }
.article-card.accent-navy::before  { background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--navy), #2a4a6a); }

.articles-more {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 16px;
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 12px;
  border: 1.5px dashed rgba(26,46,74,0.15);
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: #8494a8;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-style: italic;
}

.articles-more span { color: var(--teal); font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; }

/* Pagination */
.pagination-wrap {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 8px;
  margin-top: 30px;
  width: 100%;
}

.pagination-wrap .page-numbers {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  min-width: 38px;
  height: 38px;
  padding: 0 12px;
  border-radius: 10px;
  background: var(--white);
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.1);
  color: var(--navy);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: all 0.2s;
}

.pagination-wrap .page-numbers.current,
.pagination-wrap .page-numbers:hover {
  background: var(--navy);
  color: var(--white);
  border-color: var(--navy);
}

/* ── FOOTER ── */
.site-footer {
  background: var(--navy);
  text-align: center;
  padding: 20px 24px;
}

.footer-links {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 24px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  list-style: none;
}

.footer-links li { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 24px; }

.footer-links a {
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  text-decoration: none;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: color 0.2s;
}

.footer-links a:hover { color: var(--gold); }
.footer-divider { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.2); font-size: 0.8rem; }

/* ── WORDPRESS CORE / GUTENBERG COMPAT ── */
.entry-content-block img { border-radius: 12px; }
.entry-content-block figure { margin: 16px 0; }
.entry-content-block figcaption {
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  color: #8494a8;
  text-align: center;
  margin-top: 6px;
  font-style: italic;
}
.entry-content-block blockquote {
  border-left: 4px solid var(--teal);
  padding: 8px 0 8px 18px;
  margin: 14px 0;
  font-style: italic;
  color: #3d4f63;
}
.entry-content-block h3 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.98rem;
  color: var(--navy);
  margin: 18px 0 8px;
}
.entry-content-block table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 14px 0; font-size: 0.88rem; }
.entry-content-block table th { background: var(--navy); color: var(--white); padding: 10px 16px; text-align: left; }
.entry-content-block table td { padding: 10px 16px; border-bottom: 1.5px solid rgba(26,46,74,0.08); color: #3d4f63; }
.wp-block-image img { border-radius: 12px; }
.aligncenter { display: block; margin: 0 auto; }
.screen-reader-text {
  border: 0; clip: rect(1px,1px,1px,1px); clip-path: inset(50%);
  height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden;
  padding: 0; position: absolute; word-wrap: normal !important;
}

/* ── RESPONSIVE ── */
@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .site-header { padding: 14px 20px; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; text-align: center; }
  .header-tagline { display: none; }
  .cta-card { padding: 36px 22px 32px; }
  .cta-strip { padding: 32px 20px 28px; }
  .section-block { padding: 22px 18px; }
  .intro-callout { padding: 22px 18px; }
  .benefits-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .articles-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .pillars { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .metric-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .expertise-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .connect-card { padding: 28px 18px; }
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
  .benefits-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}