UPDATE for any and all who are interested or who have suffered a similar fate:
Took iPad to Genius Bar and waited until appointment to turn it on. We turned it on. The iPad did work however we could see the screen was damaged. Moisture had seeped into the display though not through the power port or headphone jack port, et al. So I was able to do one last backup to the cloud of everything at least. We could see the moisture damage to display was growing as we kept the iPad on so...
I was offered the standard choice of a swap with an essentially refurbished/new'ish OR, given mine was engraved, I'd order an engraved refurbished/new'ish iPad through Apple Support by phone and I would then send in my damaged iPad and in about a week, they would send me my replacement. All of this for $275. As I have critical work due tomorrow Tuesday, I chose to swap out right there and then. Because I have been so good about backing up, set up on the swapped iPad was relatively painless.
So... lesson for you all:
1. BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP
2. Don't even let the iPad NEAR anything moist.
3. Buy the new Applecare+ insurance... or something like it ...which offers more and better options for water damage.
Thanks all. And yeah - forget the rice technique OR the dessicant technique.