Inserting Rows Breaks Cell References But Can't Use Absolute

I have a problem where my conditional formatting is broken when new rows are inserted because Excel is auto updating the cell references. I am not able to use absolute references because I need to be able to Copy the entire information many times on one sheet to handle an ever changing number of projects.

I have attached an example file which shows a simple version of the sheet. There are areas for two projects now, but more would be added to the sheet as needed by just copying the entire section of one project and pasting it at the bottom. For each project, there is a cell which has a data validation list, e.g. B6, from which the user can select the current stage. The list of stages is obtained from column A, e.g. A9:A18. Whatever stage is selected, I need it to be highlighted in some manner. I currently have conditional formatting that checks if the value in B6 matches the information in the current cell and will change the text font color if True.

The problem occurs when new rows are inserted into the project. For example: if the project requires a Beta 1.1 stage, then a row would need to be inserted and labeled for that stage. However, Excel auto changes the cell references so that it no longer looks at B6. I need some way that the current stage can still be highlighted when selected in the Data Validation list.

I know that what I am needing to do may not be the best method to go about this, but I am having to work within the confines of the software available to me and the intended users of the file. Since the number and length of projects can change on a daily basis, the users need to be able to add and remove room for additional stages and projects whenever they want. I have a basic solution available to me using a macro, but the overall solution is clumsy and just leads to more problems.