@Nick: My code is over 400 lines and on several tabs. The interval is 1000 as in the blink without delay example.
@Aarch: I figured it would end up an interrupt situation. Not afraid of them just not familiar with them. As far as rewriting the WiFi.begin() function, I haven't thought about it as it's the original library released with 1.0.3.
Any ideas how to blink the LED in the background until the WiFi.begin() function completes?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
PS: Shameless plug: MUSHClient rocks!! 