As a “non-coder” I ran an umbrella node for about a 11/2 yrs. 1- for the learning experience and understanding more about BTC and LN. and 2 - to see if I can build something that makes a little BTC on the side routing payments. I was unprofitable as well. The cost to open channels and rebalance constantly well eat your routing fees continuously. I think the problem is if you don’t have a source of revenue that feeds into the LN then all the costs to maintain and open channels falls on you as the operator. And I don’t mean you have to generate the money or whatever you just need to have a node that is connect to value being transferred on the LN. If you have a business that receives LN payments that works. If you find LN “loops” where value is consistently moving that works too but it’s hard to find unless you are willing to front the costs to open larger channels. You have to commit resources “BTC” to channels without knowing if they will even produce. And if not, closing the channel costs you the Sats you put into the system to balance it because they end up in the possess of the counter- node you balanced with. It’s interesting to learn but without constant analysis, knowledge and tools to help you “see” the network it is really hard to create a profitable routing node. Just my two Sats though. Good luck and keep up the good work my friend.