Both of these responses are great and I appreciate the time you're taking to help me. Perhaps the reason I'm offering to pay is that I know the type of mentor I

Both of these responses are great and I appreciate the time you're taking to help me. Perhaps the reason I'm offering to pay is that I know the type of mentor I need is someone who wouldn't ask me to, and those people are more likely to respond if I am able to convey the type of person I am. That's a big IF, on top of biggers IFs. But it's worth a shot, even in the dark.