Tony,
Welcome to VAF! I'm sure you will get many opinions in response to your question. All of the Van's aircraft are wonderful airplanes and can be built by anyone with a modicum of skill. It is a learning process and you will build upon your skills as you go. Which model to build depends on your mission. The -9, -10 and -12 are not aerobatic. The -3 has only one seat. The -4 and -6 are a bit more difficult to build as they do not incorporate the matched hole technology of the later models, however there are some great deals to be had on used -4's and -6's if you want to go that route. The choice of side-by-side or tandem seating is a hot topic. If you travel with a significant other, a side-by-side -6 or -7 may be preferred unless you are on the large side as the shoulder room gets a bit tight. (That's where the -14 comes in; lots of shoulder room.) If you plan on doing a lot of formation and/or aerobatics the -4 or the -8 may suit you better. The centerline seating and unrestricted view make them well-suited.
After hearing all the opinions, make your own decision.
Now, do you want to hear about conventional gear versus tailwheel; constant speed versus fixed pitch,etc? Stay tuned...