Who is currently selling any kind of mtn bike with a rigid fork at a budget price...? Not hatin', just snarking on the current state of the industry...

OP -- shop their catalog, pick out some mid-level stuff that looks OK for what you want -- rack, fenders, lights -- talk with the rep, and go from there. (You'll need disc brake specific rack/fenders with this bike...) If you're worried about the wheels because of what people are saying here, recognize that shopping on budget and getting something perfect for your not-the-norm situation are incompatible. Confirm with REI that their bike wheels will support your weight, find out what the warranty is on the wheels, and expect to either be replacing wheels under warranty within their period of warranty coverage, or spending $400-600 for custom bullet-proof replacement wheels down the road, or $200 for another set of wheels with a very limited lifespan, considering your situation.