I'd go with the moist potting mix. I've been taking cuttings off of some Tiny Tim toms and some peppers that I've overwintered. They got so leggy that I had to prune them, but I couldn't bear tossing all the cuttings. I removed the lower leaves and stuck the cuttings in moist potting mix in 16oz plastic cups and set them on the shelf above my kitchen sink. No baggies or tents, just kept the mix moist. I can't say how long they took to root, I just kept an eye out for new growth. They're now outside hardening off with my other plants.
And don't give up on the lower half of the plant...it may eventually put out some new growth.

Yes, it will grow new roots and not wilt. I'd add some soilless mixture to the water to support new roots or you can keep it in a pot of moist Jiffy mix. Some people root tomatoes in water, some in moist planting soil. Both work, though some people say the plant does better if rooted in some kind of soilless mixture. I used to root them in water because I was anxious about whether they'd actually do it and wanted to SEE it, but now I just put them in a small container of moist ProMix. Keep it outside in the shade until new roots develop (a week or so) and it begins growing again. Then harden it off again to plant it out.

Your neighbor's plant should be fine pretty soon!

I've done this several times (though usually with suckers). I dip the ends into powdered rooting hormone and stick them into a small pot of mix. Set them in the shade for a week and a half to two weeks until new growth begins on the top. Ready to transplant!

If you need another plant, I have several extra Andrew Rahart's that need a home. I'm in NoVa so not sure how that would work for you.

Cindy

Thanks everyone for your tips and for your offer of an Andrew Rahart seedling Cindy! I've taken your advice and put the stem in very moist jiffy mix and placed it back under the grow lights. So far so good!

Teresa

teresa

Just a reminder if it's needed. You should provide drainage holes for your container and water it each day until it starts new growth and has roots. Then cut down on the watering as you harden it off.