Hi Trevor - I'm an absolute beginner myself, but I've registered to take a basic sailing 101 course in a couple of weeks with the Bay Area
Sailing School, near
Kemah. It's a two day class teaching the basics of sailing about a 20-ft craft, and includes some mentoring time and a half-day
charter using one of their rental crafts in the
price of the class. If you're in the
Houston area, there are a number of outfits providing a similar course.