I'm taking this on

I've gotten myself hired to convert an existing dating site that was written in straight php and mysql with no actual software supporting it, into Dolphin, with all the bells and whistles it can grab on to.  I am learning as I go -- really really learning.  I have never done anything this big.  The project is confidential, so I can't ask for help directly, but I hope I can get help with specific questions because I know I'm going to have them!  He's sent me an sql dump and a gv file of his profile photos and set me up in a sandbox, with all the permissions, and I'm playing away.  I don't know if I get to put it in my portfolio when I'm done, or if I want to (after all, it's a gay dating site and I'm a college professor and minister and mom!).  But I've always loved to play in the sand so whoever called experimenting with a design something you do in a sandbox got me hooked as soon as I saw the bait!