10.5: Set up OS X as an SSL-secured reverse proxy

I've been wanting to set up my Mac Mini (running OS X 10.5.2) as an SSL secured reverse proxy to a bit of kit on my network. However, all the instructions I've found are aimed at older versions of OS X and/or older versions of Apache. I had been using OrenoSP on my old Windows-based system, but couldn't find a comparable yet free equivalent for the Mac. As Apache 2.2.x is included with Leopard, I decided to investigate that route.

The following instructions are shamelessly cobbled together from various bits of documentation, web sites, and forums.

DISLAIMER: I'm an Apache and OS X beginner, so this may not be the best way or most secure way to do this. It does, however, provide an SSL secured reverse proxy. But the illusion of security can be worse than no security at all, so please bear this in mind. If any commenters wish to point out ways of improving this, it would be much appreciated.

[robg adds: This is a long involved hint, and hopefully I didn't ...