     private function measureVirtual(layoutTarget:GroupBase):void
     {
         var eltCount:uint = layoutTarget.numElements;
-        var measuredEltCount:int = (requestedColumnCount != -1) ? requestedColumnCount : eltCount;
+        var measuredEltCount:int = (requestedColumnCount != -1) ? requestedColumnCount : 
+                                                                  Math.max(requestedMinColumnCount, eltCount);
         
         var hPadding:Number = paddingLeft + paddingRight;
         var vPadding:Number = paddingTop + paddingBottom;

        {
            var typicalWidth:Number = typicalElt.getPreferredBoundsWidth();
            var typicalHeight:Number = typicalElt.getPreferredBoundsHeight();
            llv.minorSize = Math.max(llv.minorSize, typicalHeight);
            llv.defaultMajorSize = typicalWidth;
        }
        if (layoutTarget)

     *  @playerversion AIR 1.5
     *  @productversion Flex 4
     */
    public function get requestedMinColumnCount():int
    {
        return _requestedMinColumnCount;
    }

    /**
     *  @private
     */
    public function set requestedMinColumnCount(value:int):void
    {
        if (_requestedMinColumnCount == value)
            return;

        _requestedMinColumnCount = value;

        if (target)
            target.invalidateSize();
    }   

    //----------------------------------
    //  requestedColumnCount
    //----------------------------------

    private var _requestedColumnCount:int = -1;
    
    [Inspectable(category="General", minValue="-1")]

    /**
     *  The measured size of this layout is wide enough to display 
     *  the first <code>requestedColumnCount</code> layout elements. 
     *  If <code>requestedColumnCount</code> is -1, then the measured
     *  size will be big enough for all of the layout elements.
     * 
     *  <p>If the actual size of the container using this layout has been explicitly set,
     *  then this property has no effect.</p>
     * 
     *  @default -1
     *  
     *  @langversion 3.0
     *  @playerversion Flash 10
     *  @playerversion AIR 1.5
     *  @productversion Flex 4
     */
    public function get requestedColumnCount():int
    {
        return _requestedColumnCount;
