There is one interesting observation already that may help us understand some of the secret workings of Excel:
Note that we have not needed to use the parameter of maximumRows
Now, Consider a range object of 3 columns x 2 rows anywhere in a spreadsheet
x x x vbCr & vbLf
x x x
Reasonably we would say that has 6 items, and conventionally we have, and we could confirm by experiment, that we have item 6 as shown here, X:
x x x vbCr & vbLf
x x X
What is somewhat surprising perhaps, is that we can go on to reference any further item without causing any errors, and we remain in the maximum columns restriction but seem to have no limit, ( within reason ), in the rows.
For example, referring to item 12, would get us here X:
x x x vbCr & vbLf
x x x vbCr & vbLf
x x x vbCr & vbLf
x x X

This could be by design, or might just be an accident due to some internal calculations having a similar form to those I have suggested and discussed, - those that do not have any consideration of maximum row



I intend adding some further post on this thread later to discuss the ideas and develop them further.