Compare Dates In Table & Adjust Adjacent Value Based On Result

I have built a macro that tests to see if a date in a range is before the Period Start Date, and if it is, then the labor rate in that same row (3 Columns Over) should be escalated by the appropriate AWI. My code below works, but I am wondering if there is a better way than using offset(0,3) to prevent a code breakdown if columns are inserted between the Date and Rate columns. The date range is names "DATES" and the rate column in names "RATES"

Sub CountTheCells()
Dim cell As Excel.Range
Dim i As Integer
For Each cell In Sheet2.Range("DATES")
If cell.Value < Sheet2.Range("POPS") Then
i = i + 1
End If
Next
MsgBox ("You have " & i & " Rates that will be escalated b4 the POP Begins")
yesno = MsgBox("Would you like to Escalate the Dates and Rates?", vbYesNo)
If yesno = vbNo Then
MsgBox ("Not Done")
Else..........................