:root {
  --brand-start: #2b6cb0; /* tweak these two for your palette */
  --brand-end:   #805ad5;
}

.hero-gradient {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--brand-start), var(--brand-end));
}

a { text-decoration: none; }
a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

/* Optional: nicer footer tone */
footer { background-color: #fafafa; }

/* Optional: card polish we'll use in Step 2 */
.card-hover:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  transition: transform 120ms ease;
}
.timeline {
  position: relative;
  margin: 2rem 0;
  padding: 0;
}
.timeline::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 20px;
  width: 2px;
  background: #dee2e6;
}
.timeline-item {
  position: relative;
  margin-left: 50px;
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.timeline-marker {
  position: absolute;
  left: -9px;
  top: 0.3rem;
  width: 18px;
  height: 18px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: #0d6efd;
}
.timeline-content {
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  background: #f8f9fa;
  border-radius: 0.5rem;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}