Cant Figure Out How To Use Variables As A Range

[Genus Max]

My script seems to work, when I use Set y = Range("A1:B2"), but when I try to use a variable
ie Set y = Range("ax:bx") it gives a value of 0.

Not sure why it isnt working ...

I've enclosed the sheet, its only a couple of cells, im using for testing.

Thanks,

Code is :

Sub GMxs()

Dim xs1 As String
Dim xs2 As String
Dim xs3 As String
Dim xs4 As String

Dim xs5 As String
Dim xs6 As String

Dim y As Range
Dim y1 As Range

Dim value As Integer

Dim value1 As Integer

'Cells(1, 2) Cells(1 equals column going down, equals bc etc)

 xs5 = Cells(1, 1).Address(RowAbsolute:=False, ColumnAbsolute:=False)
 xs6 = Cells(1, 2).Address(RowAbsolute:=False, ColumnAbsolute:=False)


Set y1 = Range("xs5:xs6")
value1 = Application.Min(y1)

MsgBox " value1 " & value1 & " xs5 " & xs5 & " xs6 " & xs6

End Sub