Features and Teasers in Genesis. http://sridharkatakam.com/features-teasers-genesis/

functions.php

<?php
//* Do NOT include the opening php tag

add_action( 'pre_get_posts', 'sk_change_blog_home_posts_per_page' );
/**
 * Change Posts Per Page for Blog Home
 *
 * @author Bill Erickson (original), changed by Sridhar Katakam
 * @link http://www.billerickson.net/customize-the-wordpress-query/
 * @param object $query data
 *
 */
function sk_change_blog_home_posts_per_page( $query ) {

	if( $query->is_main_query() && !is_admin() && is_home() ) {
		$query->set( 'posts_per_page', '8' );
	}

}

gistfile1.php

<?php
//* Do NOT include the opening php tag

// Conditionally break posts (from 3rd onwards) into 2 columns with featured post on first page
add_filter( 'post_class', 'sk_blog_home_post_class' );
function sk_blog_home_post_class( $classes ) {

	if ( is_home() ) {
		global $wp_query;
		$paged = (get_query_var('paged')) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;

		// Check if on first page of pagination
		if ( 1 == $paged )  {

			if ( 1 >= $wp_query->current_post ) {
				// Don't add a class to first and second posts
				$classes[] = '';
			} else {
				// Add .one-half to all posts besides first and second
				$classes[] = 'one-half';
			}
			// Skip the first and second posts and add .first to every other
		 	if ( 0 == $wp_query->current_post % 2 ) {
				$classes[] = 'first';
			}
		} else {
			// On all other pages add .one-half to all posts
			$classes[] = 'one-half';

			// Add .first to every other post
		 	if ( 0 == $wp_query->current_post % 2 ) {
				$classes[] = 'first';
			}
		}
	}
	return $classes;

}

add_action( 'genesis_before_loop', 'sk_custom_content_display' );
/**
 * Show full content for first 2 posts on first page
 * and exerpts/content per Content Archives settings on paginated pages (second, third and so on..).
 *
 * Scope: Posts page and all archives.
 *
 * @author Sridhar Katakam
 * @link   http://sridharkatakam.com/show-full-content-first-2-posts-first-page-posts-page-archives-genesis/
 */
function sk_custom_content_display() {
	if ( ( is_home() || is_archive() ) && ! is_paged() ) {
		add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive_thumbnail', 'sk_return_zero' );
		add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive', 'sk_return_full' );
		add_filter( 'genesis_pre_get_option_content_archive_limit', 'sk_return_zero' );
	}
}

function sk_return_zero() {
	global $wp_query;

	if ( ( $wp_query->current_post <= 1 ) ) {
		return '0';
	}
}

function sk_return_full() {
	global $wp_query;

	if ( ( $wp_query->current_post <= 1 ) ) {
		return 'full';
	}
}

home.php

<?php

//* Add support for Genesis Grid Loop
remove_action( 'genesis_loop', 'genesis_do_loop' );
add_action( 'genesis_loop', 'child_grid_loop_helper' );
function child_grid_loop_helper() {
  if ( function_exists( 'genesis_grid_loop' ) ) {
		genesis_grid_loop( array(
			'features' => 2,
			'feature_image_size' => 0,
			'feature_image_class' => 'alignleft post-image',
			'feature_content_limit' => 0,
			'grid_image_size' => 'medium',
			// 'grid_image_class' => 'alignleft post-image',
			'grid_image_class' => '',
			'grid_content_limit' => 0,
			// 'more' => __( '[Continue reading...]', 'genesis' ),
			'more' => '',
		) );
	} else {
		genesis_standard_loop();
	}
}

//* Remove the post meta function for front page only
// remove_action( 'genesis_after_post_content', 'genesis_post_meta' );

genesis();

style.css

/* Featured Post Grid
------------------------------------------------------------ */

.genesis-grid-even {
  float: right;
	/* padding: 0 0 15px; */
	width: 48%;
}

.genesis-grid-odd {
	clear: both;
	float: left;
	/* padding: 0 0 15px ; */
	width: 48%;
}

.genesis-grid-even,
.genesis-grid-odd {
	margin: 0 0 20px;
}