Theme Page Outside of WP Directory

I would like to install wordpress and highend in /blog/ but I would like my root level index.php to be controlled by highend.

I attempted the Codex’s instructions to install in a sub-directory and double checked .htacess and index.php in root and /blog but I still get the white screen on root index.php. I am sure my settings are correct.

Is there a way to have my root index be controlled by highend and the visual editor without installing WP in root? I would really prefer to install in a subdirectory, but I cannot for the life of me get past the white screen issue.