Hi Ryan,

> I realized if I click on it, then click on it again, it selects
> just that face, then only deletes that top piece and gives
> me the effect I'm after.

Yeah it will take a little bit to get comfortable selecting sub objects on the second click like that.

You also can select edges for some kinds of operations in the same way, by a second click after the near an edge after the "whole object" has been selected by the first click.

But it does sound like you are figuring things out and making some rapid progress!

It gets easier as you spend more time on it.

- Michael