Welcome from a fellow newbie!
If you haven't already, do some research on IBD. This disease affects both Red Tail Boas and Ball Pythons. Since boas can by asymptomatic for a long time, an infected one could kill your ball before you knew anything was wrong.
Some good things about corn snakes: They are (typically) curious and lively, easy keepers, good eaters, docile, GREAT beginner snake, and come in lots of different colors.