You could try the Item List includelet, which lets you make a grid of links/images that go directly to a given URL. If this doesn't work out please let me know in what way it isn't right and I'll see what I can change!

Perhaps one day the different content/grid includelets will coalesce into a single mega-includelet that lets you make grids/lists/popups/galleries/accordions/carousels, with or without image or text, with links internally or externally. The One Includelet to rule them all.

Cheers

Joe