This is not a time for creativity but integration. Just use the same siding as the rest of the house.

We've created trim panels with Azek sheets and 1x material when we've been left with stuff like that. A decent finish carpenter should be able to come up with something that will play nicely with the rest of the house.

Thank you! Those were the two possible solutions that I was picturing in my head. The siding guys are here now, so we may go that route first, and we'll check out the Azek if the siding looks wrong. I'm very grateful for some professional advice, thanks!!!

I think that brick is very common. I would brick around it. Make sure they use the same color for the motar.