There are four column layout options to pick from. If three columns, two columns, or full screen are selected the app will launch with the site list visible, as you’d expect.
When set to automatic however the app starts with focus on the story column even though no site or story is selected. Title bar reads (null). On iPad mini in portrait the picked layout is full screen and two taps are required to get to the site list. In landscape the two column layout is picked showing the story column and the feed item column (Telling me to select a feed), one tap required to show sites.
Automatic should start on the site column just like the other options do on their own.