/******* Do not edit this file *******
Simple Custom CSS and JS - by Silkypress.com
Saved: Aug 13 2026 | 09:27:20 */
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Source+Serif+4:opsz,wght@8..60,400;8..60,600;8..60,700&family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap');

/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   AEC — global.css
   Accreditation Expert Consulting — site-wide stylesheet

   STRUCTURE
   1. TOKENS       design variables
   2. RESET        isolation from the active WordPress theme
   3. BASE         typography, links, images, focus
   4. LAYOUT       .aec-wrap, .aec-sec, full-bleed
   5. COMPONENTS   shared across every page (buttons, cards, bands...)
   6. PAGES        styles unique to a single page (.pg-about, .pg-services...)

   RULE: everything is scoped to .aec so the theme header / footer stay intact.
   Page root markup: <div class="aec pg-about"> ... </div>
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */


/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   1. TOKENS
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
:root,
.aec {
  /* brand */
  --brand: #2C325F;
  --brand-deep: #1F2447;

  /* text */
  --ink: #141A38;
  --body: #3A3F55;
  --muted: #5C6178;

  /* accent (seal / gold) */
  --seal: #7A5F2E;
  --seal-lt: #D9BE86;

  /* linkedin */
  --li: #0A66C2;
  --li-dk: #004182;

  /* surfaces & lines */
  --paper: #F4F5F7;
  --surface: #FFFFFF;
  --line: #DCDFE7;
  --line-soft: #E9EBF0;
  --line-dark: rgba(255, 255, 255, .16);

  /* domain accents */
  --dom-auth: #2C325F;
  --dom-acc: #7A5F2E;
  --dom-fed: #00506B;
  --dom-cap: #5B3F86;

  /* typography */
  --ff-display: "Source Serif 4", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;
  --ff-body: "Inter", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
  --ff-mono: "Inter", -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;

  /* space & shape */
  --wrap: 1180px;
  --gut: clamp(20px, 5vw, 48px);
  --sp-sec: clamp(64px, 8vw, 112px);
  --sp-sec-tight: clamp(48px, 6vw, 76px);
  --r: 6px;
  /* vertical offset used by scroll-margin so anchored sections clear the
     theme's sticky header — raise or lower to match your header height */
  --anchor-offset: 110px;
  --ease: cubic-bezier(.22, .61, .36, 1);
}


/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   2. RESET  —  isolation: stop the active theme's styles reaching inside .aec
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.aec,
.aec *,
.aec *::before,
.aec *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }

.aec h1, .aec h2, .aec h3, .aec h4,
.aec p, .aec ul, .aec ol, .aec li,
.aec dl, .aec dt, .aec dd,
.aec figure, .aec blockquote { margin: 0; padding: 0; border: 0; }

.aec ul, .aec ol { list-style: none; }
.aec li::before, .aec li::marker { content: none; }
.aec a { text-decoration: none; box-shadow: none; }
.aec img { display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border: 0; border-radius: 0; box-shadow: none; }
.aec table { border: 0; border-collapse: collapse; width: auto; }
.aec th, .aec td { border: 0; background: none; }
.aec blockquote { border: 0; quotes: none; background: none; font-style: normal; }
.aec dt, .aec dd, .aec figcaption { display: block; text-align: left; float: none; width: auto; }
.aec dt::after, .aec dd::before { content: none; }
.aec svg { display: block; max-width: none; }
.aec button, .aec input { font: inherit; }

/* theme guards — neutralise inherited list padding and container decoration */
.aec ul, .aec ol, .aec li, .aec dl, .aec dd { padding-left: 0; text-indent: 0; }
.aec div, .aec span, .aec section,
.aec article, .aec aside, .aec nav { background: none; }

/* scrollbar guard — remove if the theme already handles it.
   `clip` instead of `hidden` so a sticky header keeps working. */
html { overflow-x: clip; }


/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   3. BASE  —  typography, links, focus
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.aec {
  margin: 0;
  background: var(--paper);
  color: var(--body);
  font-family: var(--ff-body);
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.65;
  font-weight: 400;
  font-synthesis: none;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
  scroll-behavior: smooth;
}

.aec h1, .aec h2, .aec h3, .aec h4 {
  margin: 0;
  font-family: var(--ff-display);
  color: var(--ink);
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: -.012em;
  line-height: 1.14;
}

.aec p { margin: 0 0 1.1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; }

.aec a {
  color: var(--brand);
  text-decoration-thickness: 1px;
  text-underline-offset: 3px;
}

.aec :focus-visible {
  outline: 3px solid var(--seal);
  outline-offset: 3px;
  border-radius: 2px;
}

/* skip link */
.aec .aec-skip {
  position: absolute; left: -9999px; top: 0; z-index: 200;
  background: var(--brand); color: #fff; padding: 12px 20px; font-weight: 600;
}
.aec .aec-skip:focus { left: 12px; top: 12px; }


/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   4. LAYOUT
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */

/* full-bleed: survives themes that cap .entry-content width */
.aec > section {
  width: 100vw; max-width: 100vw;
  margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw);
  margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw);
}

.aec .aec-wrap {
  max-width: var(--wrap);
  margin-inline: auto;
  padding-inline: var(--gut);
}

.aec .aec-sec { padding-block: var(--sp-sec); }
.aec .aec-sec--tight { padding-block: var(--sp-sec-tight); }

/* section backgrounds */
.aec .aec-sec--paper { background: var(--paper); }
.aec .aec-sec--white { background: var(--surface); border-block: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
.aec .aec-sec--navy { background: var(--brand); color: #E4E6EF; }
.aec .aec-sec--navy h2,
.aec .aec-sec--navy h3 { color: #fff; }


/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   5. COMPONENTS  —  shared by every page
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */

/* ── 5.1 section label (§ eyebrow) ───────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-ref,
.aec .aec-ref--h {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
  margin: 0 0 22px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
}
.aec .aec-ref::before {
  content: "§"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1; letter-spacing: 0;
  color: var(--seal); flex: none;
}
.aec .aec-ref::after {
  content: ""; flex: 1; height: 1px; background: var(--line); max-width: 180px;
}
.aec .aec-sec--navy .aec-ref { color: var(--seal-lt); }
.aec .aec-sec--navy .aec-ref::after { background: var(--line-dark); }

/* ── 5.2 type scale ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-h-xl { font-size: clamp(2.35rem, 1.35rem + 3.3vw, 4.05rem); line-height: 1.06; letter-spacing: -.022em; }
.aec .aec-h-lg { font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 1.15rem + 1.9vw, 2.6rem); }
.aec .aec-h-md { font-size: clamp(1.28rem, 1.05rem + .75vw, 1.62rem); line-height: 1.25; }
.aec .aec-h-sm { font-size: 1.06rem; line-height: 1.35; font-weight: 600; }

.aec .aec-lede { font-size: clamp(1.06rem, 1rem + .35vw, 1.22rem); line-height: 1.62; color: var(--body); }
.aec .aec-small { font-size: .9rem; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--muted); }
.aec .aec-tiny { font-size: .8rem; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--muted); }

.aec .aec-ruled { border-left: 2px solid var(--brand); padding-left: clamp(18px, 2.4vw, 30px); }
.aec .aec-ruled--soft { border-left-color: var(--line); }

/* ── 5.3 buttons ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-btn {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 4px;
  min-height: 52px; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: var(--r);
  font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: .97rem; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: .005em;
  text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; border: 1.5px solid transparent;
  transition: background .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease),
              border-color .2s var(--ease), transform .15s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-btn svg { flex: none; }
.aec .aec-btn:active { transform: translateY(1px); }
.aec .aec-btn-row { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px; }

.aec a.aec-btn--primary,
.aec .aec-btn--primary.aec-btn--primary { background: var(--brand); color: #fff !important; border-color: var(--brand); } /* lint:ok theme override */
.aec .aec-btn--primary:hover {
  background: var(--brand-deep); border-color: var(--brand-deep);
  transform: translateY(-1px); box-shadow: 0 8px 20px -12px rgba(20, 26, 56, .6);
}

.aec a.aec-btn--ghost,
.aec .aec-btn--ghost.aec-btn--ghost { background: transparent; color: var(--brand) !important; border-color: #C3C7D4; } /* lint:ok theme override */
.aec .aec-btn--ghost:hover { border-color: var(--brand); background: rgba(44, 50, 95, .04); }

.aec a.aec-btn--onnavy,
.aec .aec-btn--onnavy.aec-btn--onnavy { background: #fff; color: var(--brand) !important; border-color: #fff; } /* lint:ok theme override */
.aec .aec-btn--onnavy:hover { background: var(--seal-lt); border-color: var(--seal-lt); color: #2A2110; }

.aec a.aec-btn--onnavy-ghost,
.aec .aec-btn--onnavy-ghost.aec-btn--onnavy-ghost { background: transparent; color: #fff !important; border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .4); } /* lint:ok theme override */
.aec .aec-btn--onnavy-ghost:hover { border-color: #fff; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .08); }

/* ── 5.4 link card ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-lnk {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 13px;
  padding: 13px 15px; min-height: 56px;
  border: 1.5px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r);
  background: var(--surface); text-decoration: none;
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), background .2s var(--ease), transform .18s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-lnk span { display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-right: auto; min-width: 0; }
.aec .aec-lnk b { font-size: .98rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.3; }
.aec .aec-lnk small { font-size: .79rem; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 2px; }
.aec .aec-lnk__go { color: var(--muted); flex: none; transition: transform .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease); }
.aec .aec-lnk:hover { transform: translateY(-1px); }
.aec .aec-lnk:hover .aec-lnk__go { transform: translate(2px, -2px); }

.aec .aec-lnk--li { border-color: #BBD6F2; background: #F4F9FE; }
.aec .aec-lnk--li .aec-li-mark { color: var(--li); flex: none; transition: color .2s var(--ease); }
.aec .aec-lnk--li:hover { border-color: var(--li); background: #EAF3FC; }
.aec .aec-lnk--li:hover b,
.aec .aec-lnk--li:hover .aec-lnk__go { color: var(--li-dk); }

.aec .aec-src-li { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; }
.aec .aec-src-li .aec-li-mark { width: 15px; height: 15px; color: var(--li); flex: none; }

/* ── 5.5 stat band (counter figures) ─────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-figs {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: 1px;
  background: var(--line-dark); border: 1px solid var(--line-dark);
}
.aec .aec-figs li { background: var(--brand); padding: 26px 22px; }
.aec .aec-figs b {
  display: block; margin-bottom: 9px;
  font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: clamp(1.85rem, 1.3rem + 1.6vw, 2.55rem);
  font-weight: 700; color: #fff; line-height: 1; letter-spacing: -.02em;
}
.aec .aec-figs span { display: block; font-size: .9rem; line-height: 1.55; color: #B9BDD1; }

@media (max-width: 860px) { .aec .aec-figs { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } }
@media (max-width: 430px) { .aec .aec-figs li { padding: 20px 16px; } }

/* ── 5.6 quote / pause band ──────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-pause { padding-block: clamp(56px, 7vw, 92px); }
.aec .aec-pause__q {
  margin: 0; max-width: 22ch;
  font-family: var(--ff-display); font-weight: 600; color: #fff;
  font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 1.15rem + 1.9vw, 2.6rem);
  line-height: 1.14; letter-spacing: -.022em;
  overflow-wrap: normal; word-break: normal;
}
.aec .aec-pause__sub {
  margin: 26px 0 0; max-width: 58ch;
  font-size: clamp(1.06rem, 1rem + .35vw, 1.22rem);
  line-height: 1.62; color: #B9BDD1;
}

/* ── 5.7 domain grid (service groups) ────────────────────────────────────── */
/* grid comes from .aec-grid2 — markup: class="aec-dom aec-grid2" */
.aec .aec-dom__g {
  --accent: var(--brand);
  border: 1px solid var(--line); border-top: 3px solid var(--accent);
  border-radius: var(--r); background: var(--surface);
  padding: clamp(22px, 2.6vw, 28px);
}
.aec .aec-dom__g--auth { --accent: var(--dom-auth); }
.aec .aec-dom__g--acc  { --accent: var(--dom-acc); }
.aec .aec-dom__g--fed  { --accent: var(--dom-fed); }
.aec .aec-dom__g--cap  { --accent: var(--dom-cap); }

.aec .aec-dom__h {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; margin: 0 0 16px;
  font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: .8rem; font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: .09em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--accent);
}
.aec .aec-dom__h svg { flex: none; color: var(--accent); }

.aec .aec-dom__g ul { margin-top: 0; }
.aec .aec-dom__g li { padding: 12px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
.aec .aec-dom__g li:last-child { border-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; }
.aec .aec-dom__g a {
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: .98rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink);
  text-decoration: none; line-height: 1.35;
  background-image: linear-gradient(var(--accent), var(--accent));
  background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 0 1px; background-position: 0 100%;
  transition: background-size .25s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-dom__g a:hover { color: var(--accent); background-size: 100% 1px; }
.aec .aec-dom__na { display: inline-block; font-size: .98rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.35; }
.aec .aec-dom__g span { display: block; font-size: .9rem; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--muted); margin-top: 4px; }

.aec .aec-dom__tags { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px; margin-top: 10px; }
.aec .aec-dom__tags a {
  padding: 3px 7px; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: 2px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .03em;
  color: var(--muted); text-decoration: none; background: none;
  transition: color .18s var(--ease), border-color .18s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-dom__tags a:hover { color: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); }

@media (max-width: 820px) { .aec .aec-dom { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* ── 5.8 path rows (entry points) ────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-paths {
  border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r);
  background: var(--surface); overflow: hidden;
}
.aec .aec-path {
  position: relative;
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 126px minmax(0, 1.05fr) minmax(0, 1.4fr) auto;
  gap: 24px; align-items: center; padding: 24px 26px;
  text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft);
  transition: background .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-path:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
.aec .aec-path::before {
  content: ""; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 3px;
  background: var(--brand); transform: scaleY(0); transform-origin: top;
  transition: transform .25s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-path:hover { background: #F8F9FC; }
.aec .aec-path:hover::before,
.aec .aec-path:focus-visible::before { transform: scaleY(1); }

.aec .aec-path__k { font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: .14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal); }
.aec .aec-path__t { font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: 1.14rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.3; }
.aec .aec-path__d { font-size: .9rem; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.55; }
.aec .aec-path__go {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; justify-self: end;
  font-size: .88rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--brand); white-space: nowrap;
}
.aec .aec-path__go svg { transition: transform .2s var(--ease); }
.aec .aec-path:hover .aec-path__go svg { transform: translateX(4px); }

@media (max-width: 940px) {
  .aec .aec-path { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 9px; padding: 22px 20px; }
  .aec .aec-path__go { justify-self: start; margin-top: 6px; }
}

/* ── 5.9 dashed list (who we serve) ──────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-serve {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: 2px 34px; margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.aec .aec-serve li {
  position: relative; padding: 7px 0 7px 17px;
  font-size: .98rem; color: var(--body);
}
.aec .aec-serve li::before {
  content: ""; position: absolute; left: 0; top: .82em;
  width: 8px; height: 1.5px; background: var(--seal);
}

@media (max-width: 820px) { .aec .aec-serve { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); } }
@media (max-width: 520px) { .aec .aec-serve { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* ── 5.10 contact options list (on navy) ─────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-opts { border: 1px solid var(--line-dark); border-radius: var(--r); }
.aec .aec-opts li { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-dark); }
.aec .aec-opts li:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
.aec .aec-opts a {
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 18px;
  padding: 19px 22px; min-height: 44px; color: #fff; text-decoration: none;
  transition: background .2s var(--ease), padding-left .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-opts a:hover { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, .09); padding-left: 26px; }
.aec .aec-opts b { display: block; font-size: .98rem; font-weight: 600; }
.aec .aec-opts span {
  display: block; margin-top: 4px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: .09em; color: #A9AEC5;
}
.aec .aec-opts svg { flex: none; color: var(--seal-lt); }

/* ── 5.11 onward links bar (on navy) ─────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-onward {
  margin-top: clamp(38px, 4.5vw, 54px); padding: 20px 24px;
  border: 1px solid var(--line-dark); border-left: 3px solid var(--seal-lt);
  border-radius: var(--r);
  display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 10px 28px;
}
.aec .aec-onward__k {
  margin: 0; white-space: nowrap;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: .14em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal-lt);
}
.aec .aec-onward__l { margin: 0; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 10px 26px; }
.aec .aec-onward__l a {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; padding: 4px 0;
  color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-size: .94rem; font-weight: 600;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, .28);
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-onward__l a svg { transition: transform .2s var(--ease); }
.aec .aec-onward__l a:hover { color: var(--seal-lt); border-bottom-color: var(--seal-lt); }
.aec .aec-onward__l a:hover svg { transform: translateX(3px); }

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .aec .aec-onward { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 14px; }
  .aec .aec-onward__l { flex-direction: column; gap: 12px; }
}

/* ── 5.12 legal disclaimer (on navy) ─────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-disc {
  margin-top: clamp(40px, 5vw, 60px); padding-top: 26px;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--line-dark);
  font-size: .84rem; line-height: 1.65; color: #9DA2BA; max-width: 88ch;
}
.aec .aec-disc b { color: #C2C6D8; font-weight: 600; }

/* ── 5.13 scroll reveal (class .aec-js is added by global.js) ────────────── */
.aec-js .aec-rv {
  opacity: 0; transform: translateY(14px);
  transition: opacity .55s var(--ease), transform .55s var(--ease);
}
.aec-js .aec-rv.aec-in { opacity: 1; transform: none; }

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .aec, .aec *, .aec *::before, .aec *::after {
    animation-duration: .01ms !important;   /* lint:ok reduced motion */
    transition-duration: .01ms !important;  /* lint:ok reduced motion */
    scroll-behavior: auto !important;       /* lint:ok reduced motion */
  }
  .aec .aec-rv { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
}


/* ── 5.14 page hero (shared) ─────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-hero { background: var(--surface); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); overflow: hidden; }
.aec .aec-hero__in {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1.32fr 1fr;
  gap: clamp(36px, 5vw, 76px); align-items: start;
  padding-block: clamp(56px, 7vw, 92px);
}
.aec .aec-hero__eyebrow {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px;
  margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 6px 12px;
  border: 1px solid #E3D9C4; border-radius: 2px; background: #FBF7EF;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11.5px; letter-spacing: .15em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
}
.aec .aec-hero h1 { margin-bottom: 24px; }
.aec .aec-hero h1 em {
  font-style: normal; color: var(--brand); white-space: nowrap;
  background-image: linear-gradient(var(--seal-lt), var(--seal-lt));
  background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 100% .10em; background-position: 0 88%;
}
.aec .aec-hero__lede { max-width: 35em; margin-bottom: 30px; }
.aec .aec-hero__note {
  margin-top: 26px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid var(--line-soft);
  display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px 22px; align-items: center;
}
.aec .aec-hero__note span {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11.5px; letter-spacing: .09em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--muted);
}
.aec .aec-hero__note svg { color: var(--seal); flex: none; }
.aec .aec-hero__note a {
  color: inherit; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-hero__note a:hover { color: var(--brand); border-bottom-color: var(--brand); }

@media (max-width: 920px) { .aec .aec-hero__in { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; } }

/* single-column hero (no side card) */
.aec .aec-hero--solo .aec-hero__in { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); }
.aec .aec-hero--solo .aec-hero__lede { max-width: 46em; }

/* ── 5.15 pull quote ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-pull {
  font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: 1.16rem;
  line-height: 1.5; color: var(--ink); margin-bottom: 26px;
}

/* ── 5.16 utilities (replace inline style="" attributes) ─────────────────── */
.aec .aec-u-mb-0  { margin-bottom: 0; }
.aec .aec-u-mb-14 { margin-bottom: 14px; }
.aec .aec-u-mb-16 { margin-bottom: 16px; }
.aec .aec-u-mb-22 { margin-bottom: 22px; }
.aec .aec-u-mb-32 { margin-bottom: 32px; }
.aec .aec-u-mt-26 { margin-top: 26px; }

.aec .aec-u-w-22 { max-width: 22ch; }
.aec .aec-u-w-24 { max-width: 24ch; }
.aec .aec-u-w-62 { max-width: 62ch; }
.aec .aec-u-w-64 { max-width: 64ch; }
.aec .aec-u-w-74 { max-width: 74ch; }
.aec .aec-u-w-76 { max-width: 76ch; }

/* emphasis inside cards, definition rows and table lead cells */
.aec .aec-matrix td:first-child,
.aec .aec-facts b,
.aec .aec-meta dd b { color: var(--ink); font-weight: 600; }

/* ── 5.17 disclosure (read more / read less) ─────────────────────────────── */
/* No-JS: .aec-more is hidden and .aec-fold is fully open. global.js reverses this. */
.aec .aec-more { display: none; }
.aec-js .aec-more {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px;
  margin-top: 12px; padding: 8px 0; min-height: 44px;
  background: none; border: 0; cursor: pointer;
  font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: .88rem; font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--brand); text-align: left;
}
.aec-js .aec-more svg { transition: transform .2s var(--ease); }
.aec-js .aec-more[aria-expanded="true"] svg { transform: rotate(180deg); }
.aec-js .aec-more:hover { color: var(--brand-deep); }
.aec-js .aec-more .aec-more__less { display: none; }
.aec-js .aec-more[aria-expanded="true"] .aec-more__more { display: none; }
.aec-js .aec-more[aria-expanded="true"] .aec-more__less { display: inline; }

.aec-js .aec-fold[hidden] { display: none; }

/* ── 5.18 numbered steps ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-steps { counter-reset: aecstep; display: grid; gap: 1px; background: var(--line); border: 1px solid var(--line); }
.aec .aec-steps li { counter-increment: aecstep; background: var(--surface); padding: clamp(22px, 2.6vw, 28px); }
.aec .aec-steps li::before {
  content: "0" counter(aecstep);
  display: block; margin-bottom: 12px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .16em; color: var(--seal);
}
.aec .aec-steps b { display: block; font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 8px; }
.aec .aec-steps span { display: block; font-size: .93rem; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--muted); }

@media (min-width: 861px) { .aec .aec-steps { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr)); } }

/* ── 5.19 anchor jump bar ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-jump {
  display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
  padding: 14px 0; margin: 0;
}
.aec .aec-jump__k {
  margin: 0 6px 0 0;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10.5px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--muted);
}
.aec .aec-jump a {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; min-height: 36px;
  padding: 7px 14px; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: 20px;
  background: var(--surface); text-decoration: none;
  font-size: .84rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.2;
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease), background .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-jump a:hover { border-color: var(--brand); color: var(--brand); background: rgba(44, 50, 95, .04); }

/* anchored blocks clear the sticky header, and flash their accent on arrival */
.aec [id] { scroll-margin-top: var(--anchor-offset); }
.aec :target { animation: aecTarget 1.6s var(--ease) 1; }
@keyframes aecTarget {
  0%, 40% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(122, 95, 46, .35); }
  100%    { box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(122, 95, 46, 0); }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { .aec :target { animation: none; } }

/* ── 5.20 routing matrix (situation → who → where) ───────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-matrix {
  width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;
  border: 1px solid var(--line); background: var(--surface);
}
.aec .aec-matrix th, .aec .aec-matrix td { text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }
.aec .aec-matrix thead th {
  padding: 14px 20px; background: var(--brand); color: #fff;
  font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: .13em; text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aec .aec-matrix tbody tr { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); transition: background .2s var(--ease); }
.aec .aec-matrix tbody tr:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
.aec .aec-matrix tbody tr:hover { background: #F8F9FC; }
.aec .aec-matrix td { padding: 16px 20px; font-size: .95rem; line-height: 1.5; }
.aec .aec-matrix td a {
  font-weight: 600; color: var(--brand); text-decoration: none;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(44, 50, 95, .28);
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-matrix td a:hover { color: var(--brand-deep); border-bottom-color: var(--brand-deep); }
.aec .aec-matrix__go { white-space: nowrap; font-size: .88rem; }

/* stacked cards below the tablet breakpoint */
@media (max-width: 820px) {
  .aec .aec-matrix, .aec .aec-matrix tbody, .aec .aec-matrix tr, .aec .aec-matrix td { display: block; width: 100%; }
  .aec .aec-matrix thead { position: absolute; left: -9999px; }
  .aec .aec-matrix tbody tr { padding: 18px 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
  .aec .aec-matrix td { padding: 0 0 10px; }
  .aec .aec-matrix td:last-child { padding-bottom: 0; }
  .aec .aec-matrix td[data-label]::before {
    content: attr(data-label) " ";
    display: block; margin-bottom: 3px;
    font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
  }
}



/* ── 5.21 two-up grid (cards side by side, stacks on small screens) ──────── */
.aec .aec-grid2 {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: clamp(16px, 2vw, 22px);
}

/* ── 5.22 chips (pill list of short labels) ──────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-chips { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 7px; margin: 18px 0 0; }
.aec .aec-chips li {
  padding: 6px 12px; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: 20px;
  background: var(--paper); font-size: .76rem; font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.3;
}

/* ── 5.23 LinkedIn link ──────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
.aec .aec-li-link {
  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; margin-top: 16px;
  padding-bottom: 1px; font-size: .85rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--li);
  text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
  transition: border-color .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
}
.aec .aec-li-link:hover { color: var(--li-dk); border-bottom-color: var(--li-dk); }
.aec .aec-li-link .aec-li-mark { width: 16px; height: 16px; flex: none; }

@media (max-width: 480px) { .aec .aec-li-link { max-width: 100%; } }

/* ── 5.24 closing CTA layout (text + contact options, on navy) ───────────── */
.aec .aec-close h2 { margin-bottom: 18px; }
.aec .aec-close p { color: #C2C6D8; }
.aec .aec-close__grid {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.25fr) minmax(0, 1fr);
  gap: clamp(32px, 5vw, 64px); align-items: start;
}

@media (max-width: 860px) { .aec .aec-close__grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   6. PAGES  —  styles unique to a single page
   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */

/* ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   6.1  .pg-about  —  About Us
   ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

/* hero side card — approvals record */
.pg-about .aec-rec { border: 1px solid var(--line); background: #FCFCFD; border-radius: var(--r); overflow: hidden; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__hd { padding: 18px 22px; background: var(--brand); color: #fff; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__hd b { display: block; font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: .95rem; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: .005em; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__hd span {
  display: block; margin-bottom: 6px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: .13em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal-lt);
}
.pg-about .aec-rec__list li { display: flex; gap: 14px; padding: 15px 22px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
.pg-about .aec-rec__list li:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__list svg { flex: none; color: var(--seal); margin-top: 3px; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__t { display: block; font-size: .98rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.4; }
.pg-about .aec-rec__m { display: block; margin-top: 4px; font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: .06em; color: var(--muted); }
.pg-about .aec-rec__ft { padding: 15px 22px; background: #F7F8FA; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); margin: 0; }

/* stat band footnote */
.pg-about .aec-figs__note {
  margin-top: 22px; max-width: 74ch; padding-left: 16px;
  border-left: 2px solid var(--seal-lt);
  font-size: .86rem; line-height: 1.6; color: #A9AEC5;
}

/* origin — editorial two column */
.pg-about .aec-edit {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 7fr) minmax(0, 5fr);
  gap: clamp(32px, 5vw, 72px); align-items: start;
}
.pg-about .aec-edit__aside {
  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-top: 3px solid var(--brand);
  border-radius: var(--r); padding: clamp(24px, 3vw, 32px);
}
.pg-about .aec-edit__aside h3 { margin-bottom: 14px; }
.pg-about .aec-edit__aside p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }

@media (max-width: 900px) { .pg-about .aec-edit { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* owner's chair — text + owner card */
.pg-about .aec-chair2 {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 1.14fr);
  gap: clamp(28px, 4vw, 56px); align-items: start;
}

@media (max-width: 900px) { .pg-about .aec-chair2 { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

.pg-about .aec-owner-card {
  display: flex; flex-direction: column;
  border: 1px solid var(--line); border-top: 3px solid var(--brand);
  border-radius: var(--r); background: var(--surface);
  padding: 0 0 clamp(20px, 2.2vw, 26px);
}
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__top {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 18px;
  padding: clamp(18px, 2.2vw, 24px) clamp(22px, 2.6vw, 28px);
  margin-bottom: 18px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--paper), var(--surface) 88%);
}
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__photo {
  width: clamp(96px, 30%, 142px); aspect-ratio: 4 / 5; height: auto; max-height: 178px;
  object-fit: cover; object-position: top center; border-radius: 8px; flex: none;
  background: var(--paper); border: 3px solid var(--surface);
  box-shadow: 0 10px 20px -12px rgba(20, 26, 56, .4), 0 0 0 1px var(--line);
}
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__photo--fluid { flex: none; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__id { flex: 1 1 0; min-width: 0; text-align: left; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__name { margin: 0 0 2px; font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: 1.14rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.2; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__role { margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: .78rem; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.35; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__cred { margin: 0 0 10px; font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: .7rem; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: .02em; color: var(--seal); line-height: 1.5; }
/* LinkedIn link comes from .aec-li-link */

.pg-about .aec-owner-card__body { padding-inline: clamp(22px, 2.6vw, 28px); flex: 1; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__body .aec-owner-card__h:first-child { margin-top: 2px; }
.pg-about .aec-owner-card__h {
  margin: 0 0 9px;
  font-family: var(--ff-body); font-size: 10.5px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .13em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
}

/* chips come from .aec-chips — markup: class="aec-chips aec-appr" */
.pg-about .aec-appr { margin: 0 0 18px; padding-bottom: 18px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }

.pg-about .aec-facts p { margin: 0 0 9px; font-size: .9rem; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--body); }
.pg-about .aec-facts p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }

@media (max-width: 900px) { .pg-about .aec-owner-card { max-width: 520px; } }
@media (max-width: 420px) {
  .pg-about .aec-owner-card__top { flex-direction: column; text-align: center; }
  .pg-about .aec-owner-card__id { text-align: center; }
  .pg-about .aec-owner-card__photo { width: clamp(110px, 40%, 150px); }
}

/* who we serve — block inside the paths section */
.pg-about .aec-serve-in {
  margin-top: clamp(38px, 4.5vw, 54px);
  padding-top: clamp(28px, 3vw, 36px);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--line);
}

/* closing CTA */
/* closing CTA comes from .aec-close / .aec-close__grid */


/* ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   6.2  .pg-team  —  Our Team
   ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

/* hero — roster summary strip under the lede */
.pg-team .aec-roster {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: 1px; background: var(--line); border: 1px solid var(--line);
  margin-top: clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 40px);
}
.pg-team .aec-roster li { background: var(--surface); padding: 20px 22px; }
.pg-team .aec-roster b {
  display: block; margin-bottom: 6px;
  font-family: var(--ff-display); font-size: 1.5rem; font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--brand); line-height: 1; letter-spacing: -.02em;
}
.pg-team .aec-roster span { display: block; font-size: .88rem; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--muted); }

@media (max-width: 640px) { .pg-team .aec-roster { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* jump bar strip sitting between the hero and the leadership section */
.pg-team .aec-jump-strip { background: var(--paper); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }

/* routing matrix section */
.pg-team .aec-matrix-in { margin-top: clamp(26px, 3vw, 34px); }
.pg-team .aec-matrix-note { margin-top: 18px; }

/* leadership — full profile rows */
.pg-team .aec-people { display: grid; gap: clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 44px); }

.pg-team .aec-person {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 220px minmax(0, 1fr);
  gap: clamp(24px, 3vw, 44px); align-items: start;
  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-top: 3px solid var(--brand); border-radius: var(--r);
  padding: clamp(24px, 3vw, 34px);
}
.pg-team .aec-person__photo {
  width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4 / 5; height: auto;
  object-fit: cover; object-position: top center;
  border-radius: var(--r); background: var(--paper);
  border: 3px solid var(--surface);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 24px -14px rgba(20, 26, 56, .45), 0 0 0 1px var(--line);
}
.pg-team .aec-person__k {
  display: block; margin-bottom: 10px;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10.5px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
}
.pg-team .aec-person__name { font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 4px; }
.pg-team .aec-person__role {
  margin: 0 0 14px; font-size: .95rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--brand);
}
.pg-team .aec-person__cred {
  margin: 0 0 18px; padding-bottom: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft);
  font-size: .82rem; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--seal); font-weight: 600;
}
.pg-team .aec-person p { font-size: .97rem; line-height: 1.7; }
.pg-team .aec-person p:last-of-type { margin-bottom: 0; }

/* structured meta rows — identical shape for every profile, so the three
   leadership cards read as equals rather than one long and two short */
.pg-team .aec-meta { margin: 16px 0 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
.pg-team .aec-meta > div {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 116px minmax(0, 1fr);
  gap: 16px; padding: 11px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft);
}
.pg-team .aec-meta dt {
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .13em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal);
  line-height: 1.7;
}
.pg-team .aec-meta dd { margin: 0; font-size: .93rem; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--body); }

@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .pg-team .aec-meta > div { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 4px; }
}

/* agency chips — verifiable, so they sit apart from the discipline tags */
.pg-team .aec-agency { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px; margin: 14px 0 0; }
.pg-team .aec-agency li {
  padding: 4px 9px; border: 1px solid #E3D9C4; border-radius: 2px; background: #FBF7EF;
  font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .05em; color: var(--seal); font-weight: 600;
}

/* chips come from .aec-chips */

/* LinkedIn link comes from .aec-li-link */

@media (max-width: 760px) {
  .pg-team .aec-person { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .pg-team .aec-person__photo { width: clamp(150px, 46%, 210px); }
}

/* subject-matter experts — compact 2-up grid */
/* grid comes from .aec-grid2 — markup: class="aec-sme aec-grid2" */
.pg-team .aec-sme > li {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 104px minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 20px; align-items: start;
  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--seal); border-radius: var(--r);
  padding: clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 26px);
}
.pg-team .aec-sme__photo {
  width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4 / 5; height: auto;
  object-fit: cover; object-position: top center;
  border-radius: var(--r); background: var(--paper); border: 1px solid var(--line);
}
.pg-team .aec-sme__name { font-size: 1.14rem; margin-bottom: 3px; }
.pg-team .aec-sme__role {
  margin: 0 0 12px; font-family: var(--ff-mono); font-size: 10.5px;
  letter-spacing: .13em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--seal); font-weight: 600;
}
.pg-team .aec-sme p { font-size: .92rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0; color: var(--body); }

@media (max-width: 900px) { .pg-team .aec-sme { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }
@media (max-width: 430px) {
  .pg-team .aec-sme > li { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .pg-team .aec-sme__photo { width: clamp(110px, 40%, 150px); }
}

/* engagement model + advisory note */
.pg-team .aec-eng { margin-top: clamp(30px, 3.4vw, 42px); }
.pg-team .aec-team-note {
  margin-top: clamp(30px, 3.4vw, 40px); padding: 22px 26px;
  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--brand); border-radius: var(--r);
}
.pg-team .aec-team-note p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }

/* closing CTA */
/* closing CTA comes from .aec-close / .aec-close__grid */


/* ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   6.3  .pg-services  —  (next page goes here)
   ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
/* .pg-services { } */