I've been following Donna's cancer blog and she is an amazing woman. I'm surprised you have any time to spend on this website at all Randall.
I like idea of limiting easy spells to the lower levels. As for the BFRPG option, I have yet to try it or LL (plan on trying both eventually), but in terms of reproducing the look of the rules, on the Goblinoid Games forum someone trying to recreate the LL look in a project was told he'd need to buy a $26 font. I thought that was a bit of a shame. If BFRPG is more flexible for those producing compatible products, it sounds like a goer. Besides which, most players usually like more options.