If you assembled the crank set with both the middle and out rings with the brand label out, and on opposite sides of the crank spider mounting tab, then they are correctly spaced. In fact they cannot be too close to each other.

I think you keep looking for problems tat aren't there, and there a limit to how much people can help you via the internet, which is why I steered you toward the co-op, where someone can look at the bike, tell you what's right, and what's wrong.

Maybe you can try this. Shift to the smallest chainring, if you cannot, disconnect the cable and let the spring do it for you. Then attach the cable, and try shifting by pulling it away from the downtube like a bow string. If you can shift this way, it confirms that stuff is basically OK, except that you don't know how to adjust a front derailleur.