Wayne, it's free if you want to invest 10 minutes or so.
Apple Remote Access is built into the OS. It is compatable with other VNC clients so you do not need Apples boxed admin soulution.
Here's the tutorial,
http://www.macminicolo.net/Mac_VNC_tutor.html
Or checkout Timbuktu from Netopia. They have a fully functional 14 day demo.
http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/evaluate.html
THe $500 ARA is really for system admins to confiugre and manage multiple machines. It's overkill for what you want to do.
Scott