BI Publisher Check Template with 2 Column Statement Layout

We are implementing a custom version of the CHECK3_CHECK.rtf template for printing out vendor checks.  The template is for the most part what we need, and we have set up the check portion exactly to our specs.  Now, we're working on the statement portion of the check and have run into a couple of snags.

The first is we are unable to get a 2 column format for the printed details to work.  We have made these detail fields smaller, so we can create a 2 column layout.  We have many vendors where there are many payment details that are printed, so using a 2 column layout for the details section will save us paper.  The issue appears to be the detail fields (Invoice Number, Invoice Date, Gross Amount, Discount, etc) are in a nested table within the primary table.  When the 2 column feature is used under Page Layout > Columns, Word tries to